Sending Funeral Wreaths in Korea: Etiquette, Cost, and Timing

To send a funeral wreath in Korea, take the funeral hall name, room number, the name of the deceased and the name of the chief mourner from the obituary notice, then order a three-tier condolence wreath with two ribbons: a condolence phrase on the right and your name and organization on the left. Order the same day you hear the news so the wreath arrives between the first afternoon and the second morning of the customary three-day wake, and never after the balin, the departure for burial or cremation on the third morning. Prices range from a few tens of thousands of won to well above a hundred thousand won depending on size and flower grade, so check the product page for exact figures.

What a Korean funeral wreath is

The Korean geunjo hwahwan is not a round wreath or a bouquet. It is a tall standing arrangement, roughly the height of an adult, built in three tiers of white chrysanthemums with lilies or orchids as accents. Two long ribbons hang down the front, and the wreaths line the corridor outside the family memorial room, called the binso, inside a hospital funeral hall. Visitors read the ribbons as they arrive, so the wreath is as much a public message of support for the family as a tribute to the deceased.

Because of that public role, wreaths commonly come from employers, business partners, alumni groups and extended family, not only close friends. If the family asks that flowers be declined, respect that and send condolence money or a message instead. A smaller condolence basket or an oriental orchid is a quieter option when the room is small or the funeral is family-only.

How to order, step by step

• Collect the details. Korean obituary notices, usually sent by text message or a mobile link, list the funeral hall, room number, the deceased, the chief mourner and the balin time. Copy them exactly; large hospital chains have halls in several cities, so confirm the branch.
• Choose the grade. A standard three-tier wreath suits most relationships. Move up a grade for a business partner, a senior colleague or a close relative, and follow company policy if one exists.
• Write the ribbons. The right ribbon carries the condolence phrase, the left carries the sender. Korean text is customary, but a bilingual ribbon works well for overseas senders.
• Set the delivery window and pay. Many Korean florists deliver the same day for orders placed before 2 p.m. local time. From abroad, choose a florist that accepts international cards or PayPal.
• Confirm arrival. Ask for a delivery photo so you know the wreath is standing in the right room without troubling the family.

Right ribbon: 삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다 (May the departed rest in peace). Left ribbon: ABC Corporation, CEO Jane Park, or in English: With deepest sympathy, ABC Corporation.

Other accepted phrases include 삼가 조의를 표합니다 (We offer our sincere condolences) and the classical two-character 謹弔. Avoid anything celebratory and skip bright colors; white is the color of mourning.

Cost: what moves the price

Three things set the price: the number of tiers, the density and type of flowers, and the delivery area. A standard three-tier wreath sits at the lower end of the range; premium versions add more chrysanthemums, lilies or orchids and can cost roughly double. Remote regions and Jeju Island may need next-day delivery or an extra fee, and late-evening delivery can add a surcharge. Rather than relying on figures that change with the season, compare tiers on the product page and check whether ribbon text and delivery are included.

• Colleague or acquaintance: standard tier
• Business partner, manager or close relative: standard to premium
• Company as sender: follow internal guidelines; standard or above is typical

Timing and common mistakes

Korean funerals usually follow a three-day pattern. On day one the family sets up the memorial room and receives the first visitors. Day two is the main day for condolence visits, often late into the evening. Early on day three the family leaves for the burial or cremation. Aim for the wreath to be in place by the evening of day one or the morning of day two. Order the day you receive the notice, and if the room has not yet opened, schedule delivery after the time stated in the notice, since halls do not always hold flowers for unoccupied rooms.

The mistakes that cause the most trouble are all avoidable:

• Sending to the wrong branch of a hospital chain or the wrong room number.
• Leaving the sender line blank or vague, which leaves the family unable to thank you.
• Writing the name of the deceased where the chief mourner belongs.
• Ordering delivery for the morning of the balin, when the room has already been cleared.
• Forgetting the time difference and missing the same-day cutoff from abroad.

If you attend in person, wear dark clothing, offer a flower or incense at the altar, bow twice to the deceased or observe a silent moment according to your faith, then bow once to the family and offer a brief word of sympathy. Condolence money goes in a plain white envelope marked 부의 and is handed to the reception desk; odd-numbered amounts are customary. Keep the visit short and quiet.

For senders outside Korea, the practical hurdles are usually the ribbon, the payment and knowing the wreath actually arrived. Arrive in Bloom (flowername.co.kr) handcrafts each wreath in its atelier on the day of delivery, offers same-day nationwide delivery for orders placed before 2 p.m. (next day for Jeju), writes Korean and English ribbon calligraphy free of charge, sends a delivery-completion photo, accepts international cards and PayPal, and runs a 24-hour concierge line at 1666-6584 for urgent notices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write the ribbon in English?

Yes. A Korean condolence phrase on the right ribbon is customary and understood by every visitor, but the sender line on the left can be in English, and many overseas senders use both. If unsure, ask the florist to write the phrase in Korean and your name in English.

How soon does the wreath need to arrive?

Before the evening of the second day of the wake, and ideally by the first evening. Orders placed before 2 p.m. Korean time can usually be delivered the same day. If you hear the news too late for that, a condolence message and money are more appropriate than a wreath that arrives after the family has left.

What should I send if the family declines flowers?

Send condolence money through a mutual contact or a transfer arranged by the family, with a short written message. If you are close to the family, a visit after the funeral or a small orchid delivered to their home a week or two later is a thoughtful alternative.