Why do we put flowers on the grave? - deBloemist.nl (2024)

Why do we put flowers on the grave?

In many places in the world it is a tradition to place flowers on the grave. To have different meanings and purposes depending on culture, personal belief or religion. We have listed a number of reasons:

1: Reverence and respect:

Placing flowers on the grave as a way of showing respect and reverence to the deceased. Flowers are considered a symbol of beauty and tenderness, by placing flowers on the grave you show love and appreciation for the deceased.

2: Commemoration:

Flowers can serve as a tangible reminder of the deceased. They can help recall positive memories and events. These memories are important in remembering and processing grief.

3: Comfort:

For many people, flowers have a calming and comforting effect. Seeing colorful flowers on the grave can bring a sense of peace and serenity in the midst of grief. Placing flowers can therefore provide comfort to the surviving relative and help with the coping process.

4: Symbolism:

Different flowers have different symbolic meanings, and you can also choose to place the deceased’s favorite flower on the grave. Some examples of symbolic meanings, lilies are often associated with purity, roses with love and respect, and chrysanthemums with mourning. By choosing specific flowers, people can convey certain emotions and meanings.

5: Connection with nature:

Flowers are part of nature and are often associated with the life cycle. Placing flowers on the grave can represent a sense of connection with nature and the progression of life.

6: Expression of emotion:

Sometimes words can seem inadequate to express grief and sorrow. Flowers can act as a way to express emotions that are difficult to put into words. Placing the deceased’s favorite flower or a flower with a clear meaning can sometimes say more than words.

7: Tradition and ritual:

Placing flowers on graves is an ancient tradition followed in many cultures. It is often part of religious rituals and funeral customs intended to show respect for the deceased and support the family. In many countries, All Souls’ Day is the day on which Catholics commemorate the deceased. All Souls’ Day is on November 2, the day after All Saints’ Day.

8: Gathering and sharing:

Placing flowers on the grave can also be a communal activity that brings people together to share their grief and offer support to each other. Consider, for example, the date of birth or death of the deceased. In general, laying flowers on a grave can be a way to express feelings of loss, love and respect, and to connect with the memory of the deceased.

All Saints Day explained:

is the celebration of all known and unknown saints. In the year 731, November 1 was designated as a day of remembrance for saints of the Church who did not have their own day. The date of November 1, recognized by the Catholic and Protestant churches, was established by Pope Gregory III (731-741), when he assigned a chapel to all the martyrs in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and ordered an annual celebration. The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

In many cultures, All Saints’ Day is followed by All Souls’ Day, which is a day of national mourning for all the people we miss. The most common thing is for families to get together and leave flowers at the burial site of their loved one. Since November 1 takes place in a colder time of year, the most popular flower is the Chrysanthemum, both as a cut flower and in a pot.

How it is celebrated around the world:
In France, All Saints’ Day is called “Toussaint” and is a recognized public holiday. Every year on November 1, approximately 25 million pot chrysanthemums are placed at French cemeteries. The cemeteries are therefore full of color.

In Poland, All Saints’ Day is also celebrated on November 1 and is called Wszystkich Swietych. After All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day (Zaduski) is celebrated. This is always a very busy day. Every cemetery parking lot is full and there are lines of vendors surrounding the cemetery, selling fall flowers and candles. Guard soldiers in uniform are placed at military cemeteries. Chrysanthemums are “THE” flowers and are mainly associated with death. The enormous number of burning candles in the evening provide a beautiful view of the cemeteries and are intended to illuminate the way to God.

Slovak traditions are very similar to those of Poland. Slovaks visit family and sometimes travel enormous distances to do so. They go to the cemetery where their ancestors lie. The graves are covered with a blanket of flowers and candles are burned, it is a day to remember the deceased family. People think about life and eat together.

In Germany the holiday is called All Saints Day. It is also a public holiday in some parts of Germany.
A traditional decoration that you can find at the cemetery is “Newwling” (a traditional candle made of 2 wicks of different colors red, white, blue, yellow or green twisted around a cone and lit. It is a tradition to morning to go to church and listen to the sermons which are all about the message of living as a saint. Then the family gathers for big meals and listening to the church bells ringing. It is said that the souls of the dead wandering around on earth among the living and that the ringing of the bell is a sign to be released from the earth. After the meal, people go to the cemetery to commemorate their loved one, often taking candles or lanterns with them, just like flowers and pine branches. Children are given All Saints’ Day bread “strietzel”. This sweet braided bread is often eaten after noon during a festive “Kaffee und Kuchen”.

In England, families also visit the cemetery and bring bunches of flowers to decorate the grave. In the church, the names of the deceased can be read out upon request and in some regions the day can end with a play.

In Italy, All Saints’ Day “Festa di Tutti i Santi” is both a religious and a national holiday. Every year on November 1, the Catholic saints are celebrated together. It is a day when people visit family and friends, give each other gifts and extend best wishes. If Italians have the same name as a saint, it is also a special day for them.

Spain celebrates this holiday over 2 days, namely October 31, November 1 and November 2. It is mainly called the day of the dead. Festivals and processions are an important part of this tradition, as is the performance of the play “Don Juan Tenorio”. At the end of the day, people gather at the cemetery to pray for a deceased loved one and lay marigolds and gifts next to the graves of their loved ones.

Which flowers do we put on the grave?

Placing flowers on the grave is a widespread tradition in many cultures around the world. Flowers are often used as a way to show respect, love, and tribute to the deceased. The choice of flowers can vary depending on personal preference, cultural traditions and meanings attributed to different flowers. Here are some general points to consider:

Placing flowers on the grave is a way of showing respect , love, and tribute to the deceased. The choice of flowers can vary depending on personal preference, cultural traditions and meanings attributed to different flowers. Here are some general points to consider:

• Lilies:
  Lilies are often associated with death and mourning, and are often chosen for funerals. White lilies often symbolize purity and memory. Perhaps a suitable choice, but that depends on the personality of the deceased. If the deceased was a colorful person, a different flower might be a better choice.
• Roses:
  Roses are a popular choice for funerals and they carry different meanings depending on their color. Red roses can symbolize love and respect, while white roses can represent purity and innocence.
• Chrysanthemums:
  In many cultures, chrysanthemums are seen as a symbol of mourning and are often used at funerals. Nowadays there are many new varieties with different flower shapes and colors, so the chrysanthemum has changed its image from old-fashioned to hip.
• Carnations:
  Carnations are flowers often associated with mourning and sadness. You therefore regularly see them in funeral flower arrangements or funeral bouquets. It is not a flower with a hip image, but it is often the favorite flower of the elderly.
• Orchids:
  Orchids are sometimes used to show respect and appreciation to the deceased. They often symbolize beauty and refinement. The beauty of the orchid often gives flower arrangements a checkered appearance.

• Mourning bouquets:

  These are hand-wound bouquets that are often flattened so that they can be placed at the funeral. They can contain different types of flowers and colors. Please note that choosing a mourning bouquet may not be the right choice in warm weather. The bouquets are not placed in floral foam and are therefore not watered unless they are placed in water by the funeral company or family. If you have the flowers delivered on the day of the funeral, a funeral bouquet is a good choice for flowers on the grave.

  See Also

  What Is a Funeral Wreath: Symbolism, History, Usage

  

  Mourning arrangements:

  These are flower arrangements placed on floral foam, so the flowers receive enough water for a few days. Mourning flower arrangements can be ordered in different shapes with various flowers in all kinds of colors. Popular shapes are the teardrop shape, round and oval.

  

• Coffin decoration:

  These are generally larger flower arrangements that are placed in floral foam, a coffin decoration is intended for the box. For this reason, they usually have an elongated shape and are available in different sizes. Of course, the cost decorations can be fully customized in terms of color and flower choice.

  

• Mourning hearts and wreaths.

  These floral foam flower arrangements are available in the shape of a heart or round wreath. Due to the shape of the floral foam, these are often put on compactly, this way the shape is retained and a beautiful mourning heart or wreath.

Flower colors:

The color of the flowers can also convey meanings. White is often associated with purity and peace, red with love and respect, yellow with friendship and joy, and so on.

Personal preference: Ultimately, the choice of flowers depends on the personal preference of those placing the flowers on the grave. Some people choose flowers that the deceased loved, while others choose flowers that have a meaning they want to convey.

It is important to remember that different cultures and religions may have different traditions and symbolism regarding funerals and funeral flowers. It is therefore advisable to take into account the traditions and preferences of the family and friends of the deceased when choosing flowers for the grave.

If you have any questions about the subject of flowers on the grave, please feel free to contact our customer service.