Flowers have long embodied various occasions throughout a person’s journey. One of which is during a funeral, as a symbol of sympathy sent to the family of deceased or purchased both by the family or the funeral service. Most of the time, those who can’t make it to the wake often sends flowers as form of sympathy as well, and as a sign that the family is not alone in their grief.
However, have you ever stopped to think what the meaning behind funeral flowers is? Well, today, we are going to help you make better sense as to what traditional funeral flowers mean. Along the way, we will also help you choose which ones to get.
- Lilies
Lilies are arguably the most popular funeral flowers around. These flowers symbolize that the soul of the departed has finally restored itself to innocence. In terms of variety, the white lily is a symbol of purity and majesty while the white stargazer lily symbolize sympathy.
- Roses
Roses aren’t just popular as a symbol of love and romance. They are also some of the most commonly used funeral flowers in services. It’s important to remember that colors vary in meaning. White roses are the ultimate symbol of spirituality, purity, and innocence while the deep red rose evokes love and grief. Furthermore, the yellow rose is often given by friends to show their bond while dark pink roses express thankfulness to the deceased.
- Chrysanthemums
Depending on where you live in the world, chrysanthemums vary in meaning. For example, in America and Europe, the meanings of the flowers focus on sympathy and honor. You must also take note that color plays a role in the meaning. For one, red symbolizes love, while white symbolizes innocence.
- Orchids
Orchids are also another popular funeral flowers used throughout the world. In its simplest sense, this flower means “I will always love you”.
- Carnations
Just like other flowers on this list, carnations also differ in meaning depending on which color you’re going for. For example, the red means affection and the white symbolize innocence. Moreover, for Catholic and other Christian funerals, pink carnations might be a good choice since it is the color of the flower believed to be created from the Virgin Mary’s tears.
- Hydrangea
This flower may not be as popular as the others on this list. However, it continues to be one of the most bought funeral flowers around. Unbeknownst to others, the meaning of hydrangea is to embody heartfelt emotions.
- Gladioli
Last but not the least, gladioli is another funeral flower that symbolizes strength of character, sincerity, and moral integrity. They are commonly available in a wide range of colors, like white, pink, red, purple, yellow, orange, salmon, and green.
Choosing Funeral Flowers
There are certain things we highly recommend you keep in mind when purchasing flowers for the deceased. First, there are tons of suppliers everywhere. Whether it’s from a physical store or from an online vendor, you have plenty of options to choose from. It’s all about finding one that best fits your preferences.
Common flower funeral arrangements include:
- Casket sprays, which cover a casket
- Standing sprays that are displayed on an easel and shaped in the form of bouquets, wreaths, hearts, crosses, and other shapes
- Bouquets in baskets or vases
Prices depend on the supplier you are buying from as well as how elaborate your arrangement is. Moreover, the type of flower will also play a role in the overall price. It can be as affordable as $50 and it can go as high as a thousand dollars.
When choosing flowers for a funeral, it’s also best to keep in mind any religious considerations and restrictions. The last thing you want is offering flowers that may not be accepted.
When you are the family of the deceased beloved, there are different ways you can go about with the flowers once the service is over. You can donate them to hospitals or charities. You can also have them brought to the graveyard or leave them at the memorial area. You can also take it home if you wish. It would also be ideal to send thank-you notes and cards to those who have sent flowers during the service. You can collect the cards that come with the arrangements so you don’t leave anyone out.
When you are buying flowers for the deceased or to show your sympathy to the family, remember that it shouldn’t always be expensive. Like any gift, it’s always the thought that counts.