The passing of a friend or loved one calls for a moment of silence to honour their memory. The most fitting farewell would consist of funeral rites and a memorial service honouring the deceased’s life. Flowers sent to a funeral are an appropriate way to show our compassion and support for the bereaved. Wreaths or funeral floral arrangements help ease their hearts and minds at this difficult time.
With the delicate beauty of flowers nearby, a time of mourning can transform into a celebration of a life well-lived. Sending flowers to the funeral home or chapel is the least we can do when someone close to us passes.
In order to convey our deepest sympathies to the bereaved, floral arrangements for funerals are crafted in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Not only that, each arrangement consists of different types of flowers. What does each of them mean, though? We’ll do our best to help you make sense of it all. We’ve put together a list of eight blooms frequently found in funeral arrangements, along with the sentiments they convey.
Lilies
As a sign of the newly departed’s innocence and purity, lilies are often chosen as a funeral flower of choice. Even though there is a wide range of colours available for these blossoms, white is traditionally used during funerals. White lilies, in general, convey noble qualities like purity and majesty, whereas white stargazer lilies have come to stand for emotions like compassion.
Gladiolus
When used in funeral flower arrangements, gladioli symbolise strength and moral integrity; when used in romantic contexts, they symbolise infatuation. Due to the similarity between the foliage and the flower spikes, glads are also known as sword flowers or sword lilies. According to folklore, the flower’s thorns were designed to drive an emotional stake into the recipient’s heart.
Hyacinths
It was after the death of Hyakinthos that hyacinths, which were given their name by the god Apollo in Greek mythology, began to be used as funeral flowers. For good reason, hyacinths have come to represent envious grief.
One of the most mournful of spring flowers, hyacinths have a powerful fragrance. It is common practice to use both purple and white hyacinths at a funeral. Traditionally, blue hyacinths have been given as funeral flowers to military personnel since they represent a symbol of loyalty and devotion.
Roses
Pink roses express gratitude to the deceased, while red roses express love and respect. White roses symbolise purity, humility, and innocence at a funeral. In contrast to the traditional dark crimson rose, which is meant to convey deep sorrow and mourning, the modern yellow rose is often given as a token of friendship.
Budding roses are also commonly used to honour the deceased. Grave art depicting a rose bloom indicates the tombstone belonged to a youngster under the age of 12. A rose that is just halfway open represents a life lived, either as a youth or before one’s prime. Someone who died in their 20s or 30s, when a rose is in full bloom, is said to have lived a full life.
Chrysanthemums
Only funerals and graves are appropriate places for white chrysanthemum flowers. Because it was so commonly used as a gravestone decoration in European civilizations, the chrysanthemum came to be linked with death rather than life. In European countries, chrysanthemums are only given as a sign of sympathy or mourning (according to Julie Forney).
Carnations
Among the many types of funeral flowers available, carnations are consistently the most requested. The carnation is a sign of unending sorrow, unwavering love, and everlasting devotion. The traditional symbol of grief, this flower has been used for many years. The white carnations, representing mourning, sadness, and respect, are a potent emblem. They are aromatic and last a long time, making them perfect for services that last for several days.
Orchids
The unique beauty and lengthy vase life of orchids make them a popular choice for funerals. The eternal nature of your love for the departed is symbolised by the beauty of orchids. Orchids, in whatever colour they may be, have long been symbolic of everlasting love. To express your deepest condolences to the grieving family, however, White or Pink Orchids are the best options.
Tulips
Tulips, especially those that are a vibrant yellow, are a symbol of rebirth. The family in mourning receives comfort and renewed faith because of them. Tulip funeral arrangements are sent by mourners to brighten up a sombre occasion. Tulips are a symbol of sophistication and grace. Forgiveness is symbolised by white tulips, while unconditional love is expressed through red ones.
Given the wide range of emotions and memories that a funeral flower can evoke, it’s easy to see how much meaning it can carry. Whether you choose to give a wreath, flower, or funeral stand, you can rest assured that you will bring some comfort to the bereaved recipient.
