KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Lilies are associated with purity, innocence, and renewal.
- Roses represent love and respect for the deceased.
- Carnations are known for eternal love, memories, and devotion.
- Orchids are one of the most popular choices.
Flowers are one of the most beautiful creations of nature, and they are used on all kinds of occasions. The global floral market is said to reach $118.95 billion by 2032. But flowers are also used when someone dies.
It’s a rough time for everyone; they all gather for one last goodbye with flowers in their hands. It’s a heart-wrenching scene, but death comes unexpectedly, and it’s a harsh truth of life that can never be denied.
During this hard time, you must go with flowers that hold the most value. But what flowers to choose? In this article, I’ll mention flowers and what they symbolize in funeral and memorial arrangements.
The Role of Flowers in Funerals and Memorials
Flowers are a long-established component of funerals and memorials, and provide a means for demonstrating feelings we can’t explain. They show kindness, respect, and remembrance towards the deceased person. They soothe the environment during the time of grief.
In addition to their physical allure, flowers create a feeling of peace and contemplation. They assist the bereaved in finding peace where there would otherwise be none, during the grief and loss process.
Flowers remind people that this is life, and this cycle never stops. They work as a tribute to the person who has lost their life and provide some comfort to those who are present. Flowers aid in remembrance of the deceased person and bring comfort and strength to family, friends, and all others in the community who are grieving.
Symbolism of Popular Funeral Flowers
There are so many cultures in this world, and they all have their own way of hosting a funeral. With that being said, the flowers that are used are not the same either. Some use lilies, some roses, some go for carnations, etc.
But what do these flowers represent? What’s the hidden meaning? Well, let’s find out:
Lilies and the Symbol of Purity and Renewal
Lilies are one of those flowers that can be seen at most funerals; it is also one of the most symbolic flowers during the time of loss. Lilies are widely associated with purity, innocence, and renewal, with beliefs that the departed soul is at peace and restored to spiritual wholeness.
This flower also provides an aura of beauty and soft fragrance to offer grieving families comfort and a sense of honor as they remember their loved one. Apart from being tied to purity, these flowers show hope and the promise of a new beginning.
This is a reminder to those who mourn that death does not only represent an ending but also a transition to eternal spirituality and renewal.
Roses as a Tribute of Love and Respect
Roses are one of the oldest and most recognized representations when organizing a funeral or memorial service. People choose roses as they strongly represent love and respect for the person who has left this world.
They come in different colors: red is for love, white is for respect/reverence, and green is for a gesture of appreciation. Roses can be engaged as a part of a flower arrangement or can be placed on the departed’s headstones as an act of honoring a life well lived.
Roses represent the duality of our experience: the pain of sorrow and sadness from loss, and the happiness of the memories we retain. A rose represents this duality, and the meaning remains as a profound and powerful symbol of reverence long after any sorrow has departed.
DID YOU KNOW?Nanjinganthus dendrostyla is the world’s oldest flower and has been around for 174 million years!
Carnations and Their Deep Spiritual Meaning
Carnations are picked frequently for funeral and memorial arrangements for their spirituality, great aesthetics, and strength/durability to honor the soul. They also represent eternal love, memories, and devotion, as the emotions are often focused during varying stages of mourning.
Carnations have many vibrant colors; each represents a different message. For instance, the white, which represents purity, and the red, for admiration, while usually the pink represents gratitude and or remembrance.
These deliver a distinct, soft, and powerful representation of love, which we can use to represent our family’s feelings or devotion without end or loss.
Orchids and the Message of Eternal Remembrance
Orchids are one of the most common flowers that you might see in funerals. They represent eternal love, beauty, and remembrance. When they are used in funerals, they show that the person was loved, respected, and will be remembered forever.
This flower comes in various colors. White is used to show gratitude, pink for sympathy/peace, and blue orchid for beauty. Orchids’ elegant appearance and sweet smell make it the fitting choice for funerals. Not to mention, unlike other flowers, these don’t rot early and have a longer life span.
They are also a versatile option; you can put them in a beautiful bouquet or elaborate sprays. It can be customized easily, or you can just leave a single orchid on the grave of the deceased. Below, you can see what each flower represents.
Choosing the Right Flowers for Memorial Arrangements
It’s important to choose the right flower for a memorial. There are things you have to consider so that you can make the best choices. For instance, what was the person like who is no more, what was his personality, their favorite color or flowers? You should know these things so you can pick the right flower.
Go with the options that represent their character. I’ve already mentioned the popular choices like lilies, roses, carnations, and orchids. These flowers have their unique characteristics and symbolize something special.
Final words
A funeral is a place where people mourn for a person who has left this Earth for a better place. It’s a time when everyone is grieving and has a heavy heart. Every person who loved the deceased is present, and a final farewell is being given.
It’s not easy to be there and stand in front of a lifeless body that was once filled with life. But what you can do is say goodbye to them in the best way possible. Flowers are merely a way to represent how you feel.
There are so many options available for you to choose from, but go with those that carry the most emotions and value towards the deceased. If you have ever lost someone close to you, it must have been hard for you; it’s never easy. So, I hope everyone remains safe and healthy.
What flower symbolizes funerals?
Lilies are said to be the flower that symbolizes funerals. It is associated with various cultures and is used globally.
What is the difference between sympathy flowers and funeral flowers?
Funeral flowers are meant for the deceased. On the other hand, sympathy flowers are given to the grieving family members.
Which flowers represent life and death?
The marigold flower, aka tagetes erecta, is said to be the flower that represents life and death. It is deeply involved in Indian and Mexican culture.
