Saying goodbye to someone you love is never easy, and finding the right way to honor their memory takes careful thought. That's why so many families turn to the timeless beauty of Hawaiian lei to bring warmth and meaning to a memorial service.
Whether you're placing an order through Hawaii Lei Stand or shipping lei yourself, you’ll want to read this guide on how to ship fresh memorial lei with care instructions. You’ll have the information you need to ensure every petal arrives at its destination in perfect condition.
Why Families Choose Lei for Memorial Services
For centuries, Hawaiian communities have given lei as a symbol of love and deep respect. At a memorial service, fresh flower lei carry a meaning that words alone cannot express.
The soft colors and gentle fragrance of flowers like plumeria or tuberose create a peaceful atmosphere that honors the life of someone truly special. Many families describe the moment of placing lei around a loved one's portrait as one of the most tender parts of the entire service.
Families across the country choose Hawaiian lei because they feel personal and deeply connected to the spirit of aloha. Hawaii is home to some of the most breathtaking flowers in the world, and that natural beauty shines through in every lei Hawaii Lei Stand creates.
Each lei is handcrafted using only the freshest flowers grown in Hawaii's flourishing tropical climate, where warmth and humidity bring out the most vibrant blooms. When you gift lei at a memorial service, you offer a tribute that feels as meaningful as the moment itself.
How To Prepare Fresh Lei for Shipping
Because fresh lei are so delicate, it’s important to prepare them carefully before shipping. Start by confirming that your lei is as fresh as possible, ideally made within 24 hours of shipping. Freshly made lei hold up far better during transit than lei that have already started to wilt.
Begin by lightly misting your lei with cool water, adding just enough moisture to keep the flowers hydrated throughout their journey. After misting, gently wrap lei in a damp paper towel, then place them inside a sealed plastic bag. This creates a small, humid environment that prevents the flowers from drying out too quickly.
Next, place wrapped lei in a sturdy shipping box. Choose a box with enough room for lei to lie flat without getting crushed. Line the bottom with ice packs, covered with a thin towel, to maintain a cool temperature inside.
Fresh flowers bruise easily, so avoid stacking anything on top. Seal the box tightly and label it with clear handling instructions, so the carrier treats it with the care it deserves.

Choosing the Right Shipping Method
Timing is everything when you ship fresh flowers. Always choose overnight or two-day shipping to ensure lei arrive while they are still fresh and fragrant. Standard ground shipping simply takes too long, and the flowers will not survive the journey in good condition.
Ship lei as close to the memorial service date as possible. If the service falls on a Saturday, send your package on Thursday or Friday using overnight delivery.
Always track your shipment from the moment you drop it off, so you know exactly when to expect delivery and can coordinate with whoever receives it. If possible, call the recipient ahead so they know to expect the package and can move your gift straight to the refrigerator.
One more thing to keep in mind: avoid shipping lei over a weekend unless you have confirmed that your carrier operates on Saturdays and Sundays. Delays on non-business days can leave fresh flowers sitting in a warehouse overnight, significantly shortening their lifespan.
Care Instructions After Arrival
Once lei arrive at their destination, the recipient should act quickly to keep them fresh until the service. Quick action after delivery can extend the life of fresh lei by a full day or more. Follow this checklist as soon as they arrive to give them the best chance of looking beautiful on the day of the service:
- Remove lei from the packaging as soon as they arrive.
- Lightly mist lei with cool water using a spray bottle.
- Place lei in the refrigerator inside a sealed bag or an airtight container.
- Keep the refrigerator temperature between 34 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Take lei out about 30 minutes before the service so they can adjust to the room temperature.
- Keep lei away from direct sunlight and warm air vents at all times.
With proper care, fresh lei can stay vibrant and fragrant for one to two days after arrival. The sooner someone wears or displays lei after delivery, the better they will look and smell.
Send Directly to the Memorial Site Through Hawaii Lei Stand
You don't have to manage any of this on your own. Hawaii Lei Stand ships fresh, handcrafted lei directly to memorial sites and funeral homes nationwide. Simply visit our website and select lei for your loved one. Enter the delivery address for the service, and our team takes care of everything from there, allowing you to focus on being present with your family.
Every order goes out with the same level of care and attention that goes into crafting each lei. We use thoughtful packaging and reliable shipping to ensure your tribute arrives looking its very best. From the moment you place your order to the moment lei arrive at the service, we handle every detail, so you have one less thing to worry about.
You can also order our lush tropical bouquets and sweet confections, perfect for creating a full floral tribute that feels as personal as your loved one deserves. You can customize each arrangement to reflect your family's unique wishes and honor your loved one’s memory.
We understand how much this moment means, and we want to make honoring someone special as simple and heartfelt as possible. That commitment carries from the moment you place your order until the moment it arrives at the service.

Love That Arrives in Full Bloom
Every petal in lei carries love, and the tribute you send to a memorial deserves to look its best upon arrival. These instructions for shipping a fresh memorial lei with care walk you through everything you need to send something truly beautiful, no matter where the service takes place.
Every family deserves to mark this moment with something that reflects their love for the person they’re remembering. When you order memorial lei through Hawaii Lei Stand, you trust a team that puts genuine aloha into every stem. We’re here to help you say goodbye in the most beautiful, elegant way possible.