For many of us, funerals stir up complex emotions – grief, regret, and gratitude. We may struggle to find the right words when someone loses a loved one. Yet tradition of flowers at funerals allows us to express empathy and pay tribute without saying a word. Their meanings reveal why floral arrangements comfort the bereaved and honor the deceased.
Funeral Flowers as Symbols
Flowers carry cultural significance tied to their color, variety, or number of blooms. White lilies symbolize purity and peace. Peace lilies for a funeral specifically represent rebirth and resurrection. Roses denote enduring love – red for passion, pink for gentleness, white for new beginnings. Chrysanthemums signify loyalty and optimism. These symbolic funeral flowers meaning offer consolation to people grieving a death.
Flowers and their meanings for funerals also represent the circle of life. Many arrangements incorporate greens like ferns or ivy. Ancient cultures viewed evergreens as immortal plants that signify eternal life. The circular wreaths placed on coffins or caskets evoke this notion of life’s continuity. Even flowers that fade quickly, like carnations or tulips, suggest the natural life cycle – blooming brightly, then withering to make way for new growth.
Also Read: A Guide to Flower Colors and their Meanings
Cultural Traditions Around Funeral Flowers
Across cultures, special floral tributes honor those who have passed on. In the United States and Europe, people commonly send orderly bouquets or sprays to a wake or funeral service. Popular choices like lilies and roses lend beauty and fragrance to somber rituals.
Asian cultures often follow distinct customs. For example, white chrysanthemums hold funeral significance in China. In Japan, mourners leave unscented flowers like lotus blossoms or carnations near gravesites during annual ancestor rituals. People craft intricate floral displays for Indian funerals, including marigolds considered sacred.
Even when customs differ, the stunning arrangements share a universal language of remembrance. The care put into funeral flowers expresses heartfelt sympathy.
The Enduring Tradition of Funeral Flowers
Why has the tradition of funeral flowers persisted so long? In part, the rituals reflect humankind’s bond with nature. For millennia, we have used petals and herbs to mark rites of passage, including death. Archaeological evidence shows Neanderthals buried their dead with wildflowers over 70,000 years ago!
Also, sending funeral flowers fills an important emotional need. They allow us to convey compassion and pay tribute when words seem inadequate. The beauty of flowers offsets the sorrow of death. Their fragrance and symbolism remind us of fond memories that outlast a finite life.
Funeral flowers matter because they show support through ongoing grief. Weeks after a burial or cremation ceremony, the person’s loved ones still mourn their absence. Sending flowers or a plant to the bereaved family demonstrates your continued caring. Potted peace lilies, orchids, or bromeliads can grace their home for months, extending consolation.
Selecting Meaningful Funeral Flowers and Plants
When choosing funeral flowers, consider what would hold special significance for the recipient. Ask the Glenview florist for classic varieties rendered in a suitable color, like white roses or carnations for understated elegance. For an avid gardener, a potted orchid or seasonal blooms like tulips may make a perfect memorial.
If you don’t know the deceased’s preferences, it’s always appropriate to send a standing spray or wreath in muted hues. These funeral flowers won’t wilt too soon, while their subdued beauty suits grieving families. For an added personal touch, you might include spring bulbs or seeds representing renewed hope.
Ultimately, let your sympathy and affection guide you. Skilled local Wilmette Florists like Morning Glory Flower Shop help craft bouquets and plants conveying delicate respect. However you choose to honor someone’s passing, funeral flowers remain a time-honored tradition. Order today!