Funeral Flowers and their Symbolism

Flowers are traditionally part of a funeral. They’re given to the deceased as an expression of love and sympathy. They’re also often given to the loved ones of the deceased to express sympathy. Funeral flowers have a long standing history, and each flower represents an emotion, a thought, or an expression.

Using Lilies

Lilies often find their way into funeral arrangements. They’re traditional, simple, elegant, and they represent peace. They symbolize the idea that the soul of the deceased person has returned to innocence. Stargazer lilies specifically symbolize sympathy while oriental lilies symbolize eternal life. You’ll often find entire funeral bouquets made from lilies.

Carnations Aren’t Generally Funeral Flowers

Carnations, on the other hand are often used as sympathy flowers rather than funeral flowers. Each carnation color represents a specific emotion. For example, red carnations represent admiration for the person who has passed. White symbolizes love and innocence.

Roses in Funeral Arrangements

Roses are most often thought of as romantic flowers. However, when roses are part of funeral flower arrangements, the colors can represent other emotions. For example, white again represents innocence. Pink represents grace and love. Yellow roses are often left by friends because they symbolize friendship.

Chrysanthemums in Funeral Arrangements

Mums have different meanings depending on your heritage. In Japan, for example, white mums represent grief. If you’re European you probably won’t find mums at a funeral but rather you’d find them at grave sites, left by loved ones as an expression of their grief. In the United States mums are often considered a cheerful flower and they represent truth.

Daffodils, Tulips, and Other Spring Flowers in Funeral Arrangements

These spring flowers represent renewal, which is why they are often part of Easter celebrations. They are often given to grieving loved ones as a message of hope and joy. Tulips also represent grace and, like roses, different colors have different meanings. For example, white is said to represent forgiveness.

Choosing flowers for a funeral or a memorial service isn’t always easy. Look for colors and flowers that represent the deceased. Your florist can help you choose funeral flowers that speak to your loved one and honor them appropriately.