Do You Know the Meaning of These Popular Funeral Flowers?

People have long expressed their condolences by sending flowers. This gesture is a wonderful way of showing love, support and concern for grieving family members. While the general message of sympathy flowers is easily understood, individual types of flowers can convey a variety of different meanings.

To further understand this ‘language of flowers’, here are ten popular funeral flowers and the symbolism of each.

Lily: You may have noticed that many funeral floral arrangements are filled with lilies. This lovely summer flower is popular for expressing sympathy because it symbolizes the innocence and purity of the soul that recently left this world. Although lilies come in many different colors, white is the preferred choice for funerals.

Rose: Roses are traditionally associated with romance and passion, but they can also be appropriate for funerals. This enormously popular flower comes in a wide variety of colors, each associated with a different meaning. As with other flowers, white roses represent purity, while deep pink roses indicate gratitude, making them particularly suitable for a family whose departed loved one was a blessing in your life. Red roses convey love and sorrow. The yellow rose is an enduring symbol of friendship that can be used as an expression of your support during the difficult mourning period.

Carnation: Fragrant and long-lasting, the carnation is a popular choice for sympathy flowers. Like roses, each color of carnations has its own meaning, so choose wisely. Red carnations are often used to show affection, while white carnations express rebirth. Among Catholics, it is believed that the Virgin Mary created pink carnations with her tears.

Orchid: Whether pink, white or purple, orchids have a universal meaning: “I will always love you.” For this reason, orchid plants make exceptionally special sympathy gifts. Choosing an orchid plant, in particular, conveys that your affection is enduring.

Chrysanthemum: The meaning behind these flowers varies widely around the world. For example, people in Asian countries such as Korea and Japan view the chrysanthemum as a symbol of death and grief. In the United States, chrysanthemums are seen as a symbol of encouragement for the bereaved. 

Gladioli: Timeless and beautiful, gladioli are an excellent choice when the person who passed away had exceptional integrity and character. These flowers typically represent strength, high moral values, and sincerity.
Tulips: These bright, cheerful flowers may initially seem out of place at funerals, but because they are the quintessential symbol of spring, they are associated with renewal and new beginnings. Sending an arrangement of tulips to the family of the deceased is a way to express your encouragement. It tells them that they will get through this difficult time and that you will be with them every step of the way.

Violets: These purple blossoms have been used for centuries in literature to symbolize a death that came too soon. If a loved one passed away at a young age, violets are a suitable choice to incorporate in the funeral flowers.

Hyacinth: The meaning of the hyacinth flower can be traced back to ancient Greek mythology. Apollo, the god of the sun, adored a boy named Hyakinthos, who was tragically killed by Zephyr, the god of the west wind. After his death, beautiful, fragrant flowers grew around Hyakinthos’s body, and Apollo named them hyacinths after the boy whom he deeply cared about. Based on this story, hyacinths are often used to symbolize a sense of deep sorrow and longing for the person who passed away.

Forget-Me-Not: As the name implies, the charming forget-me-not communicates an important message to the bereaved: Your loved one will live on in our memories.

Express what’s in your heart as you say your final farewell. Now that you know the meaning behind these popular funeral flowers, you can choose an arrangement that is most appropriate for the relationship you had with the one who passed away.

If you have questions or need assistance selecting appropriate funeral flowers, please reach out to our caring professionals. It is always our pleasure to serve you.

About Vaughn Greene Funeral Services: For more than 20 years, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has been providing a ministry of care to Baltimore’s African American community. As a leading local, minority- and family-owned provider, we promise to provide our highest level of service and respect to families who entrust us to honor their loved one. For more information, please call us at 410.655.0015 or visit us online at https://vaughncgreene.com/.