Losing someone close and dear is very hard on family and friends. The grief of eternal loss is what family and close friends are facing in these moments. Sending funeral flowers is not only a common way to express our own grief for the loss, but that is an appropriate way to show sympathy and respect to a grieving family.
There are religions that do not support sending flowers to a funeral, such as Jewish and Hindu, so it is best to check with a family member or a close friend what is appropriate. You don’t want to disturb the grievers with not respecting their customs. Also, if a family decided to ask for charitable donations in “lieu of flowers” as a way to respect the wishes of the deceased, be sure not to go against those wishes.
For Buddhists’ funerals flowers are appropriate, but only white flowers show respect.
Funeral flower arrangements
Flowers for a funeral can be arranged in different arrangements. Also, there are flowers that are traditionally used for such arrangements and have their meanings.
Floral baskets – they come in different sizes and shapes and can be made with different kinds of flowers. They can be delivered to funeral homes for a wake viewing, to a church for a religious ceremony and to the gravesite for a burial ceremony as well.
Standing sprays – they are displayed on an easel and can be viewed only from one side. They are displayed near the casket at funeral homes, can be displayed in a church and on a gravesite.
Wreaths, crosses, and hearts – wreaths are larger floral arrangements and are appropriate to be sent by closest friends and family. They can be displayed on an easel near the casket and on a gravesite as well. The wreath represents eternal life with its unspoiled circle. Cross shape represents faith. The shape of the heart represents love.
There are flowers that are traditionally used to express feelings, condolences, sympathy, and care.
These flowers are:
- Lilies – they represent restored innocence of the soul.
- Gladioli – they represent the strength of a character, honesty, and moral integrity.
- Carnations – depending on their color, carnations represent different things. White carnations represent pure love and innocence, red carnations represent admiration and pink ones represent remembrance.
- Chrysanthemums – In many European countries they are used exclusively as flowers for a funeral as they represent death. But in the U.S. represent truth and are recognized as a way to honor someone who enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest.
- Roses – like carnations, different colors of roses represent different things. White roses stand for reverence, innocence, and youthfulness, red ones express love, respect and courage, pink roses stand for love, grace and gentility, crimson one signifies grief and sorrow and yellow roses stand for friendship.
Conclusion
If you are not sure what is appropriate it is not a bad idea to ask the florist to help you. Local florist may have better insight into local customs and has wide knowledge about flowers and what each of them represents. They can also offer you preprinted condolence cards that go with funeral flowers, and all that is left to you is to sign it.
