While there are many funeral traditions and customs for memorial and funeral services, one of the most common is the presence of flowers. Historically, flowers were placed on a grave to shield those grieving from any unpleasant fragrances or smells. However, as time passed and the deceased were treated with more care, flowers evolved into a gift for both the living and the deceased. Flowers are seen as a token of respect for those who have passed on, as well as a sign of sympathy for those who have lost someone. Flowers are a visual interpretation and expression of grief, respect, and love. But do different flowers have different meanings? With so many options, choosing the right flowers for a funeral service can feel like a daunting task. Read on to find out some of the most popular funeral flowers and what they mean.
What Do Different Flowers Mean?
Roses are typically considered one of the most popular funeral flowers. The gift of a rose is a universal expression of showing love for someone close to you, whether they be a family member or a close friend. Roses can also represent qualities of strength, balance, and purity.
Lilies are also a popular choice for funeral arrangements, with some arguing they are more popular than roses. While their elegant shape and calming scent make them very palatable, their meaning is powerful. Lilies, especially white ones, symbolize dignity, peace, and grace. They are considered symbols of innocence restored to a person now that their soul has departed.
Daisies are often considered to mean a genuine, heartfelt “farewell.” They are placed on graves worldwide in remembrance of loved ones. They are also used most often to commemorate the life of a child who has passed away. Daisies are typically seen as a youthful flower, so their presence at a funeral for a younger person is appropriate.
Orchids, like roses, are representative of a love everlasting. Their exotic beauty is considered a sign of deep respect and adoration for the deceased when present at a funeral. They are also considered a sign of “returning to nature,” the end of one life cycle as another life cycle begins.
Gladiolus flowers are considered to be representative of integrity and strength. When gladioli are present at a funeral, it can be inferred that the deceased was considered a person of strong moral character and integrity.
Chrysanthemums, often shortened to mums, are considered to be representations of death in many European countries. In these countries, mums are only given in the case of sympathy, grief, or mourning. Likewise, mums are connected to signs of grief or sadness in China and Japan. While they are not as strictly regarded as sympathy flowers in the United States, they are still very popular funeral flowers.
Irises are often used as the official flowers for soldiers being laid to rest. They represent faith, respect, valour, and hope. Irises have been linked as a symbol for sympathy going all the way back into ancient Greek mythology. The goddess Iris was considered to be the link between heaven and earth, guiding souls to Heaven.
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The Meanings Behind Flower Colors
The most popular flower colors found at a funeral are often white, pink, red, blue, purple, and yellow. Each has its own unique connotation and meaning.
White flowers are the most commonly present at funerals. This traditional color choice represents honor, peace, and innocence.
Pink is considered a respectful color choice, used to express gentleness and sympathy.
Red flowers symbolize love, as well as beauty and strength.
Purple represents dignity and respect, as well as a regal presence.
Blue flowers express a deep sense of mourning and condolensense. However, blue flowers also represent a hope for the future.
Lastly, yellow flowers can evoke a sense of happy memories, found more often at memorial services, celebrations of life, or funerals for younger people.
Any of these colors can be combined to express the specific message you wish to send.
Flowers are a gorgeous symbol of life. Their colors and arrangements can help celebrate the people we love who have passed on, expressing both joy and mourning with their beauty. While there are many popular flowers and each flower offers a different meaning behind it, don’t worry too much about trying to ‘say the right thing’. There’s no ‘right way’ to celebrate or mourn a life lost. As long as you feel that your loved one is being honored you can rest easy. We hope that this list of the most popular funeral flowers and what they mean will make choosing flowers for your loved one a meaningful yet simple task.
We want to help you make the best decisions for you and your family to celebrate the memory of a life lived. If you have any questions about our cemetery, funeral home or cremation services, please contact us.
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