Most elements of a funeral service, including the flowers used, are generally based on personal preference and is reflective of the life and personality of the deceased, with specific religious or cultural traditions also taken into consideration.
While some people see the funeral as a time of mourning and sadness, others may view it as a celebration of life for the person who has died. This will often determine the choice of flowers, attire, and other decoration or memorabilia displayed at the service or memorial.
How to choose funeral flowers and are bright colours acceptable?
Flowers can make a difference to the overall ambience of a funeral service.
Because flowers are typically associated with happiness and joy, they may seem unnecessary for an occasion such as a funeral. However, flowers may not only offer comfort to the bereaved, but also bestow fragrance and colour on an otherwise sombre day.
When selecting funeral flowers, it is important to consider the type of person the deceased was and the type of service you are planning, to ensure the flowers are reflective of this.
The meaning behind different types of popular funeral flowers
White hued flowers are commonly seen at funerals, along with other pastel blooms. Lilies, Carnations, Roses, Orchids and Hydrangeas are also popular choices.
Following are some of the most popular choices and what the flowers symbolise.
White Lilies: White lilies offer a majestic appearance and pleasing fragrance, symbolising the return of the soul to a peaceful state.
White Roses: These blooms stand for purity, spirituality, and innocence. Pink or red roses may also be considered, as they represent appreciation and love. This is not to say that other colours are inappropriate for funerals.
Red Roses: At a funeral, red roses express love, while darker crimson roses symbolise grief.
Pink and White Carnations: The meaning behind a carnation is dependent on the colour. Both white and pink carnations have historically been used to honour mothers, particularly on Mother’s Day. Hence, these blooms may be appropriate if the deceased was a mother. Pink carnations are commonly seen at Christian funerals as they illustrate remembrance and are believed to have been created from tears of the Virgin Mary.
Chrysanthemums: Chrysanthemums impart different meanings at a funeral service across cultures. In many parts of Europe, they are displayed exclusively at funerals, and no other occasion. In Asian countries, white chrysanthemums exemplify death, sorrow, and grief.
Orchids: If you are after unique flowers for the funeral service, you may wish to consider orchids. Pink and white orchids are commonly selected for funerals.
Hydrangea: Shaped like large pom poms, their rounded shape makes them an ideal selection for creating floral sprays, wreaths, and garlands. They also come in many different colours, making them versatile for any style of service.
What colour flowers for a funeral and what they represent
Although individual colours have meaning on their own, often floral arrangements achieve greater meaning when different colours are paired together. Consider pairings of the following colours to create a beautiful arrangement.
White: Symbolises peace, tradition, innocence, and honour.
Red: May add a touch of vibrancy to the funeral, while representing beauty and strength.
Pink: Softness and sympathy
Yellow: Associated with happy memories, yellow flowers may be an appropriate colour choice for floral arrangements if you are hoping to make the funeral more a celebration of life, rather than a time of sadness.
Purple: Symbolising respect and dignity, purple flowers may be paired with white ones for a peaceful and soothing arrangement.
Blue: Represent hope for the future and well wishes, and as such, may be considered as part of a floral gift of condolence to the bereaved family.
In summary
When it comes to choosing floral arrangements for a funeral service, there is no right or wrong choice and the above is not set in stone. If in doubt, speak with a florist or funeral director who will be able to guide you in selecting the most appropriate blooms to suit the style of service and the life being honoured.
The information on this website is for general information only and are not (and nor are they intended to be) a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, nor is it used for diagnosis and treatment. You, or anyone you are concerned about, are encouraged to seek professional medical or mental health advice and treatment from suitably qualified medical and clinical practitioners and providers.
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