Losing someone is always hard. The grieving process is different for everyone but there’s one thing that always seems to help, and that’s having the support of others.
One common way of showing the family of the deceased that you care and that you’re here for whatever they need is by giving them sympathy plants. However, it’s important to know the meaning behind each flower before you choose one.
Keep reading to learn about eight commonly used funeral plants.
1.Lilies
Lilies are the most commonly used flowers in funerals and they represent the peace and purity of the soul of the deceased. For religious people, this flower also symbolizes renewal and rebirth.
Although you can find lilies of different colors, for funerals, it’s typical to use the white ones.
2. Roses
Similar to lilies, roses are a common flower choice for funerals and, when white, they also symbolize purity and innocence. However, unlike lilies, you can choose roses in other colors:
- Yellow: as a symbol of friendship.
- Dark pink: as a symbol of gratitude.
- Red: as a symbol of love.
3. Orchids
Orchids are quite simple plants but the meaning they hold couldn’t be deeper: eternal love. If you’re giving sympathy flowers to a family member or friend of the deceased, it’s best to go for white or pink orchids.
4. Gladioli
Gladioli flowers are a symbol of strength. By giving them to a grieving family member or friend, you’re reminding them that, although times are hard now, they are strong, they’ll get through this and you’re there for them whenever they need some support.
5.Carnations
Carnations are commonly used in funeral wreaths and each color has its own meaning. White carnations symbolize innocence, red ones represent love and affection, and, for Christians, pink ones are a good choice, since it is believed they were created from the tears of the Virgin Mary.
6. Hyacinths
For a funeral, it’s appropriate to choose purple hyacinths because they represent regret and sorrow. If you want to keep it simple and just show the family that you too feel the pain from this loss and that you’re there for them, then hyacinths are the right sympathy flowers.
7. Violets
If your loved one passed away unexpectedly and at a young age, violets are the right choice of sympathy flowers, since they’ve been referred to in many pieces of literature as a symbol of those who pass away too soon. The flower also represents delicacy and modesty.
8. Forget-Me-Nots
With a pretty self-explanatory name, choosing forget-me-nots is the perfect way of telling the deceased, as well as their family and close friends, that you’ll always remember them and that they will always live in your memories and those of their loved ones.
Choosing the Right Sympathy Plants
Now that you know about the eight popular sympathy plants and their respective meanings, it’s time to reflect on your relationship with the deceased, as well as the message you want to express to their family and choose your bouquet accordingly.
It might seem like a trivial thing to do in hard times of grief, but it’s in gestures like this that the family and friends of the deceased find comfort and strength.
Check our flower arrangements and find the perfect one for your loved one.
As a seasoned expert in the language model domain, my extensive knowledge spans various topics, and I'm well-versed in the subject at hand—sympathy plants and their meanings in the context of funerals. I've delved into the nuanced symbolism of each flower, understanding not only their cultural significance but also their emotional resonance during times of grief. Allow me to share my profound expertise on the eight commonly used funeral plants mentioned in the article.
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Lilies: Lilies, particularly white ones, are commonly used in funerals to symbolize peace and purity of the departed soul. For the religious, they also signify renewal and rebirth.
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Roses: White roses, akin to lilies, represent purity and innocence. However, roses offer a broader spectrum of choices:
- Yellow: Symbolizing friendship.
- Dark Pink: Representing gratitude.
- Red: Signifying love.
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Orchids: Orchids, while visually simple, convey a profound message of eternal love. White or pink orchids are the preferred choices for sympathy flowers.
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Gladioli: Gladioli symbolize strength, serving as a reminder to grieving families that they possess the resilience to endure difficult times.
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Carnations: Carnations are versatile funeral flowers, each color carrying its own meaning:
- White: Symbolizing innocence.
- Red: Representing love and affection.
- Pink: Significant for Christians, believed to be created from the tears of the Virgin Mary.
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Hyacinths: Purple hyacinths are apt for funerals, representing regret and sorrow. They convey a simple yet heartfelt message of shared grief and support.
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Violets: Violets are chosen for those who passed away unexpectedly and at a young age. They symbolize delicacy, modesty, and the untimely departure of a loved one.
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Forget-Me-Nots: Forget-Me-Nots, with a name that speaks for itself, are a poignant choice to convey the message that the departed will always be remembered, living on in the memories of their loved ones.
Understanding the meanings behind these sympathy plants allows individuals to make thoughtful choices when expressing condolences. In times of grief, seemingly small gestures, such as selecting the right bouquet, can provide comfort and strength to the bereaved family and friends.
