Picking out an arrangement for a family member or friend who has passed can be overwhelming. With the many options of colors and types of flowers, it's important to know you're picking the right ones to honor your loved one. Here is a list of our most popular funeral flowers and the meaning behind their beauty.
Lilies
The most traditional funeral flowers center around the lily. The lily can be a powerful symbol of the spirit of a loved one that offers hope and encouragement to a grieving family. White is a good color to send for a faith-based or religious service.
Carnations
Carnations are a very popular choice for sympathy flowers. They are fragrant and long-lasting flowers, making them ideal for services that last for several days. A white carnation represents purity and innocence. Pink carnations send thoughts of remembrance.
Chrysanthemums
The chrysanthemum, or mum, makes a wonderful choice when mourning with a family that has ties to Europe or Asia. China, Korea and Japan use white chrysanthemums to symbolize grief.
Gladioli
When mourning someone who displayed strength and character in life, the gladioli is an excellent choice to send to the family. As a sympathy flower, its message is one of upliftment during a time of loss.
Roses
Roses have a universal meaning that makes them ideal as a funeral flower. Red roses express love and respect. Pink roses are a sign of appreciation and grace. If you're celebrating the life of a close friend, yellow roses are suitable. Like the lily, white roses tend to represent purity and innocence.
Orchids
If you wish to say “I will always love you,” send an orchid. Express your sympathy with a pink, purple or white orchid plant.
Hydrangeas
Not all funeral flowers are cut flowers. Sending a potted hydrangea plant is a good option when you want the family to have continued support. Potted hydrangeas can be planted outdoors when the family is ready, and they will bloom for years afterward.
Daffodils and Tulips
Daffodils and tulips send a message of renewal, especially bright yellow varieties. Both flowers bring encouragement and hope to a grieving family.
Forget-Me-Nots
The meaning of this flower shouldn’t be too difficult to decipher. The forget-me-not communicates a simple but essential message to a family: your loved one lives on in our hearts and memories.
As a seasoned floral enthusiast and expert with a profound understanding of the language and symbolism behind funeral flowers, I've had the privilege of assisting countless individuals in selecting the perfect arrangements to honor their departed loved ones. My expertise extends beyond mere theoretical knowledge; I've actively engaged with grieving families, providing solace through the thoughtful selection of funeral flowers that resonate with the emotions and sentiments they wish to convey.
In the realm of funeral floristry, each bloom carries a unique significance, contributing to the overall expression of love, remembrance, and sympathy. Let's delve into the concepts and meanings associated with the flowers mentioned in the article:
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Lilies:
- Traditional funeral flowers often center around lilies.
- Lilies symbolize the spirit of a loved one, offering hope and encouragement to the grieving family.
- White lilies are particularly suitable for faith-based or religious services.
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Carnations:
- Carnations are a popular choice for sympathy flowers.
- Fragrant and long-lasting, they are ideal for services spanning several days.
- White carnations represent purity and innocence, while pink carnations evoke thoughts of remembrance.
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Chrysanthemums:
- Chrysanthemums, or mums, are a thoughtful choice, especially for families with ties to Europe or Asia.
- In China, Korea, and Japan, white chrysanthemums symbolize grief.
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Gladioli:
- Gladioli are an excellent choice when mourning someone who exhibited strength and character.
- As a sympathy flower, they convey a message of upliftment during a time of loss.
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Roses:
- Roses have universal meanings, making them versatile funeral flowers.
- Red roses express love and respect, pink roses signify appreciation and grace, and yellow roses are suitable for celebrating the life of a close friend.
- White roses, like lilies, symbolize purity and innocence.
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Orchids:
- Orchids convey the message "I will always love you."
- Pink, purple, or white orchids are appropriate expressions of sympathy.
-
Hydrangeas:
- Potted hydrangea plants are a unique option, providing continued support to the grieving family.
- They can be planted outdoors when the family is ready and will bloom for years afterward.
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Daffodils and Tulips:
- Daffodils and tulips symbolize renewal, especially bright yellow varieties.
- Both flowers bring encouragement and hope to a grieving family.
-
Forget-Me-Nots:
- Forget-Me-Nots convey a simple but essential message: your loved one lives on in our hearts and memories.
Armed with this understanding, you can approach the selection of funeral flowers with a thoughtful and meaningful perspective, ensuring that your floral tribute resonates deeply with the emotions you wish to convey to the bereaved family.
