October 25, 2018

Flower Meaning at Funerals – What Kind of Flower Should you Get?

By michael

Flowers carry emotion and have forever occupied an important position in funeral ceremonies.

Which perhaps brings you to wonder, which flowers should you choose to best honour the life and memory of a deceased loved one? There is no doubt that your florist can create a lovely floral arrangement. But, before he puts together random, yet beautiful blooms, take a second to understand the meaning behind every one of them.

Send the right message with the flowers you pick wisely. The florist will then create an arrangement that best represents the relationship you had with the person that passed. Some flower choices might come easily. Let’s say the deceased loved gardening and had a favorite flower, it would be thoughtful and greatly comforting for the bereaved to receive an arrangement of those beloved flowers.

So what do the go-to funeral flowers symbolize? Here are a few tips to guide you.

Lilies

The delicate aroma of lilies typically fills the air in a funeral home, they are the most commonly associated flowers with funeral services. Lilies symbolize the peacefulness and innocence that have been restored to the deceased’s soul.

Roses

Roses are also a very common funeral flower. Interesting to note that each colour has its own meaning. White roses, are a symbol of purity, innocence, sympathy and spirituality. The elegance of a white rose arrangement conveys a strong message appropriate for the memorial of a departed loved one. At a funeral, red roses are the traditional symbol of love and grief. While, yellow roses are given by friends of the deceased to show their attachment.

Gladiolus

These spire-shaped flowers can mesure up to 4 feet tall and are often included in funeral sprays. Gladiolus symbolize honour and remembrance, as well as, strength of character, sincerity and moral integrity. They come in a wide variety of colour and are ideal to honour character traits.

Orchids and orchid plants

Orchids, no matter the colour, no matter the culture, mean: “I will always love you.” White petals are the most frequent, but pink orchids are also used in funeral arrangements.

See our infographics:

Chrysanthemums (“Mums”)

Chrysanthemums have a different meaning around the world. In Europe and America, they are typically looked at as a flower that signifies sympathy and honour. In Asia, they signify life and rebirth, which makes them an appropriate gift at a baby shower. In France, mums are strongly associated with death, and are typically purchased on All Saints’ Day to grace the tombs and graves of their passed loved ones.

Carnations

With their ruffled appearance and long-lasting freshness these flowers are often used in funeral wreaths. As do many flowers, they come in a different array of colours. White or light pink are traditionally used for funeral arrangements. Pink carnations stand for remembrance and mean: “I’ll never forget you.”

Peace lily plants

Similar to the flower, the peace lily plant embodies peace, harmony, purity and innocence after death. Here’s an interesting fact about this plant : the NASA has placed it among the top ten plants that improve the quality of the air surrounding it. Peace lily plants soak up harmful particles and release fresh oxygen.

Daffodils and Tulips

Hydrangea plants

Hydrangea plants make a nice gift for a family that just lost a loved one. As a perennial spring plant, it continues to bloom for many years after it has been planted inside or outside. The hydrangea embodies heartfelt emotions and sympathy for the bereaved.