Consoling a person who lost the loved one is the toughest job that has to be handled with great care and patience.
The process can be made easy by giving a vivid looking magnificent bouquet of flowers.
Generally, people present bouquets at the time of services and these should not be mistaken as sympathy flowers.
Funeral bouquets are used to honor the departed person.
Sympathy flowers are given to the grieving person to console him or her.
Sympathy flower arrangements also differ from the funeral flower arrangements.
Wreaths, sprays and casket sprays used for funeral flowers are not used for such flower arrangements.
Sympathy flowers remain close to the regular flower arrangements used for decorating the house.
Here is a list of sympathy flowers and their meaning.

• Lilies: Lilies are widely used as flowers for specific occasions.
  There are different varieties of lilies.
  They serve as sign for innocence and sympathy.
  White lilies specifically speak of purity and dignity.
  Different varieties of lilies also differ in shape.
  Bright looking trumpet shaped lilies are used in large bouquets.
  Lilies make the floral arrangements beautiful but their pollens are problematic.
  They cause allergies in sensitive people and they also pose the risk of staining.
  Hence, pollen of the flowers has to be removed before use.
  
• Carnations: Carnations that come in multiple colors are the preferred sympathy flowers.
  The meaning of the flower varies with the color of the flower.
  For example red carnation serves as a sign for admiration, pink carnation symbolizes commemoration and white carnation stands for purity and innocence.
  The best part of carnations is they do not wilt quickly and are also inexpensive.
  
• Chrysanthemums: Chrysanthemums that serve as symbol of truth are one among the commonly used flowers.
  These bright looking large flowers give an elegant look to the bouquet.
  The combination of Chrysanthemums and roses shows the true love you have for the mourning family.
  In few nations such as Korea and Japan white chrysanthemums are used only as part of sympathy flower arrangements.
  
• Gladiolas: Gladiolas that serve as symbol of moral integrity, sincerity and powerful character are commonly used in sympathy flower arrangements.
  These are tall stemmed flowers with multiple flowers on one stem.
  Gladiolas come in multiple colors and remain bright for a long time.
  They also go well with other flowers such as carnations and roses.
  
• Roses: These are the commonly used flowers for handling any kind of emotions.
  The unique scent of roses adds life to the sad atmosphere.
  Roses are meant to evoke love and courage.
  They serve to express the respect, love and purity.
  Pink and white roses are preferably used as sympathy flowers as they serve as symbol for purity, love and elegance.
  

There are many other flowers that symbolize love, comfort and eternity.
Along with the chosen flowers the note you include with bouquet and the words you speak to the grieving person have impact in conveying sympathy to the mourning family members.
Hence, include notes like "I am there in case of need" to sooth the depressed person.