Funeral flowers in Hong Kong follow conventions that differ sharply from celebratory ones. The tribute is usually a wreath (花圈) or funeral basket (花籃), with a pair of white ribbons (輓聯 / 輓帶) at its sides. The wording, order of names and religious fit all matter, and mistakes cause real offence at a sensitive time.

1. Check Before You Send

Does the family accept flowers? Many families now put 「恕不收花圈」 or 「花圈改為捐款」 in the obituary notice, and some ask for donations to a charity instead. Respect this.
Religion. Buddhist, Taoist, Christian and Catholic funerals use different wording (see section 4). Check the death notice or ask a mutual friend.
Venue. Wakes are mostly held at funeral parlours (殯儀館) in specific halls. Get the parlour, the hall name or number, and the dates and times.
Rules. Some parlours limit the size or number of wreaths and the delivery times. Ask your florist, who will usually know.

2. Types of Tribute

Type	Notes
Wreath (花圈)	A round or oval floral ring on a stand. The traditional choice for companies, friends and relatives.
Funeral basket (花籃)	A standing basket arrangement. Common and often slightly more affordable.
Small table or coffin-side arrangement	Suits close family or very small halls.
Donation, 帛金 or 奠儀 (condolence money)	Often more practical than flowers. See section 8.

3. Flowers and Colours

Appropriate:

White and yellow chrysanthemums (菊花), the most traditional funeral flower
White lilies and white roses
White or pale-coloured orchids, carnations and gladioli
Greenery, such as ferns and leaves
Colour palette: white, cream, pale yellow, soft green, with restrained touches of pale purple. Christian funerals sometimes use slightly softer colours.

Avoid:

Red, bright pink, orange and gold. These are celebratory.
Bright, boldly coloured arrangements and red ribbons
Dried or wilting flowers, and strongly scented flowers in small halls

Note that white and yellow chrysanthemums, which you avoid at an opening, are standard here.

4. The Ribbon Layout

Like celebratory stands, the text reads vertically, right to left:

Position	Name	Content
Right	上款	The deceased, with a tribute or title
Centre	輓詞	A short phrase of mourning, if used
Left	下款	The sender, with a closing term such as 敬輓

The ribbons are white with black lettering. Some florists use pale yellow with black or gold text.

5. Writing the Right Side (上款): The Deceased

Pattern: Title or form of address + name + tribute term

Tribute terms:

千古: eternal, the most common and neutral
靈前: before the spirit, respectful and widely used
安息: rest in peace
遺像: before the portrait

Examples:

故陳大文先生千古
陳公大文先生靈前
李母陳太夫人千古 (for the mother of a friend or colleague)
林太夫人靈前
故王小美女士安息

Notes:

Use the form of address the family uses in the death notice, and copy the characters exactly.
If you are writing to a colleague about their parent, a title such as 「令尊」 or 「令堂」 can be used in a card, but on the ribbon use the formal title of the deceased.
For a spouse or someone of the same generation, a simple 「故 XXX 先生」 is fine.

6. Centre Phrases (輓詞)

The centre phrase is optional. A simple stand with only the right and left sides is acceptable.

General:

Phrase	Meaning
音容宛在	their voice and face remain with us
懷德長存	their virtue lives on
永垂不朽	eternal memory
德澤長存	lasting goodness
一路好走	have a peaceful journey
沉痛哀悼	deepest grief
懷念永恆	forever remembered

For an elderly person who lived a long life:

福壽全歸
福壽雙全 (use with care, and only for a very long, full life)
高風亮節 (for someone respected for integrity)

Buddhist funerals:

往生淨土
蓮臺接引
佛光接引

Christian and Catholic funerals:

安息主懷
息勞歸主
蒙主恩召
永享天家

Notes on use:

Match the religion. Using a Buddhist phrase at a Christian funeral, or the reverse, is a visible error.
When unsure, use a neutral phrase such as 音容宛在 or 沉痛哀悼.

7. Writing the Left Side (下款): The Sender

Pattern: Relationship or sender + name + closing term

Closing terms:

敬輓 (also written 敬挽): the standard term
敬悼: respectfully mourn
謹輓: formal, for senior figures
拜輓: respectful, often used by younger people

Formats:

Situation	Example
Individual	陳大文敬輓
Younger generation to an elder	晚陳大文敬輓
Family friend	世侄李家豪敬輓
Colleagues	營運部全體同事敬輓
Company	星河貿易有限公司全體同人敬輓
Company with representative	星河貿易有限公司董事總經理黃志明敬輓
Couple	李大文王小美敬輓
Organisation	香港XX商會敬輓

Tips:

「晚」 or 「晚輩」 shows you are of a younger generation than the deceased.
For several senders, put the most senior name first (rightmost).
Keep the left side concise and use the name the family knows.

8. Complete Examples

Colleague whose father passed away, from a team:

Right: 陳公大文先生千古
Centre: 音容宛在
Left: 營運部全體同事敬輓

Business associate, to a company’s founder:

Right: 故黃公志明先生靈前
Centre: 懷德長存
Left: 星河貿易有限公司全體同人敬輓

Christian funeral, from a friend:

Right: 李母陳太夫人靈前
Centre: 安息主懷
Left: 林美玲敬輓

Buddhist funeral, from a family friend:

Right: 王母張太夫人千古
Centre: 往生淨土
Left: 世侄陳家豪敬輓

Simple two-part format (no centre phrase):

Right: 故張大華先生千古
Left: 李明敬輓

9. Wording and Practices to Avoid

Congratulatory words such as 賀, 恭喜, 誌喜, 大吉, 敬賀
Red, gold or bright ribbons
Words suggesting a lighthearted or casual tone, slang or jokes
Mismatched religious phrases (section 6)
Wrong name, title or gender, such as 「先生」 for a woman. Verify these.
Simplified Chinese, which should be Traditional for Hong Kong
Advertising slogans or company taglines
Phrases that claim to know the cause or circumstances of death

10. Condolence Money (帛金 / 奠儀)

Many people send money in place of, or as well as, flowers.

Use a white envelope (not red) marked 「帛金」 or 「奠儀」, with your name written on the back or the front.
Practice on amounts varies. Many people choose an amount ending in a digit that is not the number 4, and some follow the custom of an odd number for funerals. If unsure, ask a relative or friend of the family.
The family often gives a small return gift: a sweet and a towel (毛巾 and 糖), to be taken home. The sweet is meant to ease the bitterness.
Hand it over at the reception desk (白事簽名處) of the wake.

11. The Small Card or Verbal Message

If a card is added, keep it short and sincere.

Chinese:

請節哀順變。
謹致慰問,願逝者安息。
沉痛悼念,祈望家人保重身體。

English:

With deepest sympathies for your loss.
Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.
May he/she rest in peace.