The hidden meaning of funeral flowers

Appropriate flowers for a funeral

Roses are very popular, but their hidden meaning differs depending on the colour. For example, red is believed to symbolise grief and sorrow – and tend to be given by partners or close family members – while dark pink roses represent grace and gratitude, so are gifted by other family members and mourners. Yellow roses are often given by friends as a sign of the depth of their friendship.

A white lily is also a classic funeral bloom but what do lilies represent? In flower symbolism, white lilies mean majesty, purity and a return to innocence, while peace lily plants represent peace, harmony, and rebirth. They’re often sent as gifts to the family of the deceased as a reminder that their memory will live on.

Carnations, which are often used in wreaths or sprays, are also a popular choice for funeral flowers as they are fragrant, long-lasting flowers. This makes them ideal for funeral preparation and ceremonies that last several days. Like roses and lilies, different colour carnations carry different meanings, which makes including a range of colours in a floral arrangement ideal. Red represents affection, pink symbolises remembrance, and white shows purity and youth.

Another timeless choice for funeral flowers is the orchid. The plant symbolises an eternal love and mourning for the person that has died, whilst demonstrating complete support for those left behind. And this is true regardless of what colour is chosen.

More hidden flower meanings

If your loved one wasn’t a fan of classic funeral flowers, there are plenty more blooms to choose. Gladioli can convey strength of character and moral integrity – their name actually comes from the word ‘gladiator'.

How about chrysanthemums? Like roses, the hidden meaning changes according to their colour, such as red for love and white for innocence. But in general, chrysanthemums represent trust, friendship and loyalty. They’re called ‘mums’ for short too, so often appear in funeral tributes for mothers.

The cultural significance of funeral flowers

Another important thing to consider when buying funeral flowers is the different cultural meanings that certain flowers hold. To help avoid embarrassment or causing offence to the bereaved family, you should do your research beforehand.

For example, in the UK, red flowers are often given to symbolise love for the deceased. But in many Asian cultures, red flowers, a colour associated with happiness or luck, should be avoided. Instead, yellow and white flowers which symbolise death are deemed most appropriate.

In many parts of Europe, such as Poland and Croatia, chrysanthemums are so strongly linked with death that it’s unusual to receive them outside of the mourning period. However, in many Asian countries, these flowers represent rebirth, and act as a sign of joy rather than sorrow.

It’s also important to remember that the use of flowers isn’t commonplace at every funeral. For example, bringing fruit to a Jewish shiva burial and mourning is considered more appropriate than flowers. Generally speaking, Jewish funerals are solemn affairs, so flowers, which are bright and colourful in appearance, aren’t fitting for a funeral and are associated with celebratory events.

Flower arrangements for funerals

Once the flowers for the funeral have been chosen, there are a variety of display choices available. Florists will work with you and your chosen funeral home to create a design that is personal and tailored to the interests of your loved one.
Some of the most commonly used floral arrangements at funerals include:

• Casket sprays: these floral displays are usually chosen by the immediate family, or the person arranging the funeral and placed directly on top of the coffin.
• Letter tributes: these tributes remain popular among people arranging a funeral as they can be used to make any word you want, like ‘Mum’, ‘Dad, ‘brother’, ‘son’, etc.
• Wreaths: due to their circular shape, these arrangements can be used to symbolise eternal love and mourning for the person that has died.
• Hearts: flowers arranged in a heart are often tributes chosen by close relatives, expressing their love and how much they will miss the person that has died.
• Pillow/cushion displays: shaped like a pillow or cushion, these types of arrangements use flowers to symbolise the peace and comfort of someone’s final resting place.

Blossoming funeral flower trends

Although lilies may be associated with funerals, they’re actually falling out of favour. Sophie Herriot, owner of Save the Date Collective florist in Edinburgh, says, ‘They’re not something we stock all the time as we hardly get asked for them. Roses are much more fashionable.’ In fact, our report into emerging funeral trends found roses are now the most requested funeral flower in the UK.

Our favourite types of foliage are also changing. ‘A lot more people want eucalyptus in their tributes,’ says Sophie. ‘It’s a lighter grey colour, rather than dark green, so it looks more modern.’ Your choice of arrangement may also depend on the time of year. In summer, garden flowers and pastel shades are more popular but in winter, darker foliage and berries dominate. Ask your local funeral home for more ideas on seasonal styles.

The design of floral tributes is shifting, too. Sophie says, ‘Traditional letter arrangements, such as ‘Dad’ are still popular, but we can create much more personalised displays. A spray can include particular flowers that mean something special, or we can do something totally different. Just ask your florist for help.’

Still not sure what remembrance flowers to choose? Download our flowers brochure for inspiration.