Flowers are a beautiful and timeless gift for a grieving friend or family member. Flowers are often synonymous with funerals and sympathy. However, different types of flowers and different colours are representative of various emotions and sentiments. We have curated this handy guide so you can decipher the meaning behind the most popular funeral flowers.

Lilies

Lilies are frequently used in funeral arrangements and are often associated with mourning. Lilies connote purity, innocence and majesty. When used in a funeral arrangement, this connotation transforms to suggest that the soul of the departed has returned peacefully to a state of innocence. This makes the lily a great choice for any funeral, and an especially fitting choice for a religious service.

Roses

Roses are the most easily recognised flower and evoke strong emotions of love for many people. This makes the rose a popular flower in funeral arrangements. Roses come in various colours which have different meanings attached to them.

• A red rose signifies deep and often romantic, love and respect.
• A pink rose signifies gentle love, grace and appreciation.
• A yellow rose signifies friendship and attachment and is often given by friends of the deceased.
• A white rose signifies reverence and humility.

If you wish to express more than one of these sentiments, a mixed bouquet of roses with varying colours is a lovely choice for a funeral service.

Orchids

Orchids are a common funeral flower as they convey eternal love. Pink and white orchids are traditionally used to express sympathy. A potted orchid is a beautiful choice for a funeral arrangement as it will flourish for a long time. This is reflective of an endless love for the deceased, and your continued support for the grieving.

Carnations

Carnations are particularly fragrant and enduring, which make them a popular funeral flower. Carnations are a simple flower and are understood to convey a simple message: gratitude and remembrance. Red carnations signify admiration and respect, while pink carnations signify remembrance. White carnations signify a pure form of love.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are also referred to as ‘mums’ and are a fitting funeral flower for a family with ties to certain countries in Europe and Asia. France, Spain, Italy, Poland, and Croatia are countries in which chrysanthemums are traditionally the sole type of flower to be brought to funerals. This is because chrysanthemums historically symbolise death and mourning in these countries. Additionally, in China, Japan and Korea, white chrysanthemums symbolise grief. This makes the chrysanthemum a beautiful choice for any funeral, and a particularly thoughtful choice for a family with these backgrounds.

These flowers are all fitting choices for a sympathy or funeral arrangement. It can be hard to know what to do or how to help a bereaved loved one. However, a thoughtful floral arrangement is a nice way to express your sympathy and let the family know you are there for them.