5 Common Funeral Flowers and Their Meanings
In many cultures, flowers are a traditional component of funeral and memorial services, and their variety and colors convey meaningful messages of love and sympathy.
When choosing a funeral arrangement, consider utilizing the following flowers to express your sentiments of support for the bereaved through the grieving process.
Lilies
Lilies are commonly associated with memorial services. Generally, lilies are said to represent the notion that the soul of the person has returned to a state of innocence. The color of the lily you choose also has a deeper meaning. White lilies symbolize purity and majesty, while stargazer lilies specifically symbolize sympathy.
Carnations
With their long-lasting fragrance, carnations are a popular choice for funeral arrangements. Carnations of various colors have different meanings. A red carnation evokes admiration, while pink carnations stand for remembrance and white carnations symbolize pure love and innocence.
Gladioli
Gladioli are typically used in fan sprays, which are regarded as classic and elegant arrangements for traditional funeral services. Composed of multiple flowers with stems that can measure up to four feet tall, gladioli come in a wide range of colors including white, pink, red, purple, yellow, orange, salmon and green. Gladioli, or sword lilies as they are commonly referred to, carry several symbolic meanings, but are widely recognized as representing strength of character, sincerity and integrity.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are frequently utilized in arrangements for funeral services because they carry several cultural meanings surrounding the death of a loved one. In some European and Asian countries, chrysanthemums are symbolic of death, lamentation and grief, and are generally reserved for use at funerals and on graves. However, across the U.S., white chrysanthemums are generally understood to mean truth.
Roses
Though people often correlate roses with romantic love, these flowers come in a variety of colors and have a host of different meanings. Dark red roses are a popular choice when expressing grief and sorrow. White roses symbolize reverence, humility, innocence and youthfulness, while pink roses represent love, grace, appreciation and gentility.
If you’re looking for the perfect arrangement to honor the life of a loved one, visit our online Sympathy Store, or call Bevis Funeral Home at 850-385-2193.
