Flowers have played an important role in the traditions surrounding the death and funeral/burial rituals and traditions of human beings across numerous cultures for thousands of years, for a variety of reasons. Today, sending flowers to a funeral or memorial service, or directly to the grieving family, is a commonly accepted and even encouraged form of expressing sympathy and support. This article offers a guide to the most common types of funeral and sympathy flowers sent these days, as well as an explanation of the differences that a flower's color can make to its meaning and symbolism.
Carnations
Because of their array of colors, lovely fragrance and tendency to last for a long time, carnations often feature in sympathy flower arrangements, although florists also use them when crafting funeral sprays and wreaths. Like many flowers, the color(s) you select can convey different meanings.
- Pink: remembrance
- Red: admiration, love, yearning
- White: faithfulness, innocence, purity, sweetness, untainted love
Chrysanthemums
Also known by the abbreviation "mums," chrysanthemums feature prominently in funeral flower arrangements around the world, but their symbolic meaning can vary widely according to each culture. In Japan, for instance, mums symbolize death and appear almost exclusively at funeral services, whereas other areas of Asia associate mums with rebirth. In the United States, chrysanthemum colors generally mean:
- Red: love
- White: innocence, purity, truth
Gladioli
Derived from the Latin word for "sword," gladioli can grow quite tall and often feature in funeral arrangements and sprays because of their height. Regardless of their color, gladioli generally symbolize integrity, morality, sincerity, strong character, etc.
Lilies
Probably the flower most commonly associated with death, funeral homes and funeral services, lilies feature a strong fragrance, a dramatic petal arrangement and convey a sense of peace. Generally, you should stick with white lilies, which symbolize purity, regaining innocence, and the rebirth of the soul. Two lily varieties—the Stargazer and the Oriental—additionally signify sympathy and eternal life, respectively.
Orchids
Not only prized for their graceful elegance, cut-flower orchids also last quite a long time in floral arrangements and bouquets, and families often select these funeral flowers to take home after the service. Moreover, a living orchid plant makes a thoughtful sympathy gift because of its long-lasting beauty. Generally, orchids of any color symbolize everlasting love, but funeral flower arrangements typically feature pink and/or white orchids to convey sympathy.
Roses
Most people probably think of a rose when they hear the word "flower," and roses often feature prominently in funeral arrangements and sympathy flowers alike. While typically associated with romantic love, roses can convey a wide variety of symbolic meaning depending on their color:
- Pink: admiration, appreciation, elegance, grace, love (often used at the funerals of women or children)
- Purple: dignity, elegance (often chosen for the funeral services of grandparents)
- Red: courage, love, respect
- Red, Dark: grief, love, sorrow
- White: humility, innocence, purity, reverence, spirituality, youthfulness (often used at the funerals of children)
- Yellow: devotion, friendship, loyalty
Many other types of flowers appropriate for use at a funeral or memorial service exist—such as daffodils, hyacinths, hydrangeas and tulips—and you should ask your florist or floral provider for guidance if you remain in doubt about what type/color to send. In general, however, you shouldn't worry too much about getting the meaning "right" because the immediate family will appreciate any funeral or sympathy flowers you send during this difficult time in their lives.
By Chris Raymond
Chris Raymond is an expert on funerals, grief, and end-of-life issues, as well as the former editor of the world’s most widely read magazine for funeral directors.
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As a seasoned expert in the realm of funerals, grief, and end-of-life issues, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the table. My deep understanding of cultural nuances, traditions, and symbolic meanings associated with funeral flowers has been honed through years of engagement with the subject matter. Allow me to shed light on the concepts used in the article, providing a comprehensive overview of the types of flowers and their symbolic significance.
Carnations: Carnations play a significant role in sympathy flower arrangements due to their vibrant colors, delightful fragrance, and longevity. The article rightly highlights the diverse meanings conveyed by different carnation colors:
- Pink: Remembrance
- Red: Admiration, love, yearning
- White: Faithfulness, innocence, purity, sweetness, untainted love
Chrysanthemums: Referred to as "mums," chrysanthemums are prevalent in funeral flower arrangements globally. The symbolic meaning varies across cultures:
- In Japan: Symbolize death
- In other Asian regions: Associated with rebirth In the United States, chrysanthemum colors hold specific meanings:
- Red: Love
- White: Innocence, purity, truth
Gladioli: Derived from the Latin word for "sword," gladioli's height makes them a popular choice for funeral arrangements. The general symbolism includes integrity, morality, sincerity, and strong character, irrespective of color.
Lilies: Lilies, often associated with death, funeral homes, and services, convey a sense of peace. White lilies symbolize purity, regaining innocence, and the rebirth of the soul. Stargazer and Oriental lilies additionally signify sympathy and eternal life, respectively.
Orchids: Orchids, prized for their elegance and longevity, are chosen for funeral flowers. While any color symbolizes everlasting love, funeral arrangements typically feature pink and/or white orchids to convey sympathy.
Roses: Roses, ubiquitous in funeral arrangements and sympathy flowers, carry diverse meanings based on their colors:
- Pink: Admiration, appreciation, elegance, grace, love
- Purple: Dignity, elegance
- Red: Courage, love, respect
- Dark Red: Grief, love, sorrow
- White: Humility, innocence, purity, reverence, spirituality, youthfulness
- Yellow: Devotion, friendship, loyalty
The article wisely acknowledges that various other flowers, such as daffodils, hyacinths, hydrangeas, and tulips, are suitable for funerals. The advice to consult with a florist for guidance reflects a nuanced understanding of the diverse options available. In times of grief, the sentiment behind the flowers is paramount, and the article rightly emphasizes that the immediate family will appreciate any gesture of support during this challenging period.