Confirm the wake date and permitted display areas before ordering portraits, tribute stands, inscriptions or baskets. When time is short, prioritise correct wording, delivery times and the on-site contact.
Ask what the room can accommodate
Even rooms in the same funeral parlour may have different access and display areas. Obtain the confirmed room, floor, date and placement rules. One contact should record positions and pass dimensions to suppliers. Check the delivery entrance, portrait and flower locations, space required for visitors and wheelchairs, unobstructed fire exits, and responsibility and timing for removal. Room size and rental periods are separate venue decisions.
Check portraits and inscriptions twice
Supply the original photograph where possible and ask the printer for the frame's internal dimensions in centimetres. A phone screenshot may not enlarge clearly, and no single portrait size suits every room. Ask two family members independently to proofread the deceased's name, relationship terms, donor names and their order. Confirm the final version and delivery destination in writing before printing. Ensure the proof, phone image and final order are the same version.
Decide what matters before colour and quantity
Too many tributes may reduce standing and wheelchair space. These are physical-delivery decisions, distinct from religious rites.
- Portrait and frame: output dimensions, position and backup image file.
- Tribute stands: donor names, inscriptions, room and floor on delivery instructions.
- Floral baskets: quantity, positions and clear access.
- Background: existing venue fittings or separately supplied items.
- Removal: what the family will take home and when it is collected.
Planning backwards from the wake
This is a family planning timetable, not a florist's delivery promise. With only one or two days available, first ask whether an urgent order is possible and adjust the selection. If the date is pending, prepare photographs and draft names without confirming delivery prematurely.
| Timing | Family task | Supplier confirmation |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 days before | Choose the original image and draft inscriptions. | Order acceptance, stock and delivery area. |
| 2 days before | Confirm names, donor wording and frame dimensions. | Proof and final amendment deadline. |
| 1 day before | Supply room, floor and on-site contact. | Delivery and handover slot. |
| Wake day | Check portrait, wording and clear passageways. | Correction and removal contacts. |
A family example and printable delivery checklist
Ms Hui receives two portrait versions and a late donor-name change. One relative consolidates the approved photograph and wording before sending the florist the confirmed room details, avoiding a stream of conflicting files overnight. Record the wake date and room/floor; image filename and frame size; tribute quantity and approved wording; delivery time and driver's number; permitted positions and passageways; and receiving and removal contacts. Guest arrival and dress guidance are covered separately.
Frequently asked questions
Must the portrait be a fixed size?
No. Confirm the room, frame and printer's available output, then check the original image quality.
How early should flowers be ordered?
Three to five days is a useful family planning target, but acceptance depends on the supplier, flowers and delivery slot. Ask first for urgent orders.
Can an inscription error always be corrected on site?
No. Printing methods and time vary. Proofread before ordering and contact the supplier immediately if an error appears.
Whom should guests tell before sending baskets?
Ask the family's designated contact, then verify the permitted room, floor and placement with the parlour to avoid conflicting deliveries.
Related guides
- Comparing Kowloon Funeral Parlours: Room Capacity, Rental Periods and Access
- Taoist funerals: the wake, chanting, farewell and departure
- Attending a funeral: arrival times, clothing and practical etiquette
Contact Tim Fat Funeral
For help organising the next steps, contact Tim Fat Funeral on our 24-hour telephone 8209 9774 or WhatsApp 6238 4028. Share the family's wishes and confirmed arrangements so we can help coordinate the practical details. Religious rites should be agreed with the officiant; family and regional customs may differ.