From expressing wishes to have our favourite blooms at our own send-off, to expressing our condolences with a bouquet, flowers have a prominent place in bereavement, grieving and final send-offs.
Since the earliest times, flowers have played an important part in funeral rites. There is evidence that Neolithic burials featured floral tributes and medieval households relied on the scent of fresh flowers to freshen the air around bodies kept in the home before burial.
In the Victorian era, Floriography - the language of flowers - developed as a coded way of communicating feelings otherwise forbidden by rigid social etiquette. All types of flowers were given their own symbolic meanings, and these meanings carried over to funeral flower arrangements. The rules for what was, or was not, florally appropriate became very rigid - while a white lily symbolised purity, an orange lily could signify hate.
There are no longer any rules regarding what types of flower are appropriate for a funeral. These days, more and more people are actually requesting that family and friends make a donation to a favourite charity instead of sending flowers. That being said, many funeral services still rely on flowers - in the church, the crematorium or a single arrangement on the coffin - to bring simple beauty into sometimes sombre surroundings. Although there are no real dos-and-don'ts when it comes to floral funeral arrangements, we have listed seven of the most common flowers found in funeral flower arrangements and highlighted some of their traditional symbolism.
Lilies
Revered by the Greeks and the Romans and referenced in the New Testament and by Shakespeare, Lilies are renowned for their elegant beauty. There are many different types of Lily, but white lilies are most often seen in funeral arrangements. Traditionally symbolising innocence and a return to peace, the white stargazer lily is also used to signify sympathy.
Roses
The rose is universally acknowledged as a sign of love and affection. There is a huge variety of colours available in roses with white blooms suggesting innocence, red love, pink grace and deep crimson roses denoting grief and sorrow. A single rose placed within a funeral arrangement is said to show enduring love for the deceased.
Carnations
Carnations are thought to be one of the oldest cultivated flowers and are very practical choice for floral funeral arrangement; they tend to last a long time and are generally affordable. They are also strongly scented and come in an incredible spectrum of colours. White, pink and red carnations are most common in funeral bouquets and wreaths, symbolising innocence, love and remembrance respectively.
Gladioli
Tall gladioli flowers are often used in classic funeral arrangements. Named after the Latin 'Gladius' or sword, they are said to have been worn around the necks of gladiators to protect them from death. Their historic association with gladiators led gladioli to be used, traditionally, as funeral flowers for men. More generally, they are used to represent strength of character and integrity.
Daffodils and Tulips
Seasonal spring tulips and daffodils suggest new beginnings and can bring hope for the future to a family that is grieving. Bright yellow daffodils introduce a vibrant splash of colour to a sombre funeral service and promise a return to cheerfulness. Tulips signify elegance and grace with white blooms symbolising forgiveness, and red, enduring love.
Chrysanthemums
In some parts of Europe, chrysanthemums are thought of solely as funeral flowers as they are seen to symbolise death. In China, Japan and Korea, white chrysanthemums signify grief. In the UK there is no strong symbolism associated with chrysanthemums, but their simple beauty and strong colour choices makes them popular in funeral flower arrangements.
Zinnias
An ideal choice for sending to a bereaved family, zinnias mean ‘never forget absent friends.’ Their wide variety of colours also provoke additional meaning with yellow representing daily remembrance, purple symbolising lasting affection and red conveying family ties and loyalty.
Arranging flowers is just one thing on a long list of practical arrangements to be taken care of before a funeral. Fortunately, your funeral director can help. Flowers are not included in our funeral plans as standard, but you can express your wishes when you purchase your plan and add these at an additional cost.
Arranging flowers is just one thing on a long list of practical arrangements to be taken care of before a funeral. Fortunately, your funeral director can help.
For more information on our plans, visit our Compare our funeral plans page or call 0808 169 4534. We’re available Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.
