Flowers have a fascinating language and history; every colour, bloom, and arrangement has a different connotation. While much of this language is lost or not followed anymore, some people still follow the historical symbolism and may feel that it’s appropriate for an occasion such as a funeral. In some cultures (especially Eastern European), flower meanings and history is still quite well known.

Flower Colours

Blue: represents tranquillity and harmony, with a sense of stability, confidence, and honesty. Blue flowers are relatively rare, although there are coloured options if you feel that this is the right colour for you.

Green: these flowers are meant to bring luck.

Orange: suggest flamboyance and a fiery personality. Orange arrangements used to be placed in buildings or rooms where people were expected to discuss ideas and theories.

Pink: represents fresh beginnings and passions. It can symbolise youth or emotional maturity, but different shades have different meanings. Pale pink is still associated with femininity, while brighter shades suggest romance, fun, and friendship.

Red: represents intensity, passion, and danger. These could be suitable for someone who had an impulsive personality or had a real zest for life. Red roses are also associated with love and romance.

White: is used around the world for significant occasions and is the colour of the circle of life. It represents purity, and when given as a gift isa gesture of respect. Most classic funeral arrangements are white and this is often the best option if you are unsure.

Yellow: represents hope and happiness, and is often a token of courage and cheerfulness. Yellow flowers are quite unusual in funeral tributes, but new traditions celebrate a person’s life rather than mourning their passing so it can be appropriate depending on the occasion.

Purple: represents spirituality and admiration. Purple has been the colour of royalty for much of history and flowers in this colour often show respect.

Birth Month Flowers

January: carnations

February: irises

March: daffodils

April: daisies

May: lilies

June: roses

July: delphiniums

August: gladioli

September: asters

October: marigolds

November: chrysanthemums

December: poinsettia

Flower Meanings

Acacia: friendship and chaste love

Camellia: gratitude and perfection

Carnations: devoted love or womanly love (especially a mother’s love)

Chrysanthemums: friendship, love, cheerfulness in old age, optimism, or a desolate heart

Dahlia: dignity, elegance, and good taste

Daisy: innocence, loyalty, purity, gentleness, and abundance

Forget me nots: faithful love and memories

Gladiola: strength of character, sincerity, and moral integrity

Hyacinth: sincerity

Iris: faith, wisdom, valour, and hope

Lilac: purity and modesty

Lily: lilies come in a variety of types and have a number of meanings, from wealth and prosperity to youthful love and coquetry

Magnolia: nobility and dignity

Orchids: refinement and affection

Rose: confidentiality, love and passion

Sunflowers: adoration, warmth and longevity

Sweet Pea: pleasure, departure and goodbyes

Tulip: romance, elegance and grace

Funerals are one of the most sensitive occasions that a person will encounter and it’s easy to be lost for words (or worse, say the wrong thing).

When it comes to comforting the family of other grievers, it’s often good to start with:

·         How sorry you are to hear the news
·         That he/she will be sorely missed by friends/colleagues/other people in your group
·         How much you loved this person or how bereaved you feel
·         You know how much the deceased loved the people left behind
·         What a wonderful person the deceased was
·         How you will remember the deceased
·         How the deceased was an inspiration to others
·         Talk about your favourite memory with the deceased

It’s kind to recount stories that put the deceased in a good light or show how much the deceased cared for the person you’re speaking to. Don’t be afraid to console others and offer comfort or assistance, but watch their body language to know when attention has been received and is no longer necessary.

If words are not your strong point just keep it short. People may not remember the mass of condolences, but they will remember that you were there to remember their loved one.

What Not to Say

Funerals are a time to talk about the deceased and their relationships in the best light possible – you can recount funny stories, but embarrassing or painful anecdotes should be avoided. If your humour is not necessarily something that’s shared with the other mourners, it’s best to avoid expressing it until you’re with a group that appreciates it (even if the deceased shared it).

Be yourself – if you are not often emotional or physically affectionate, changing suddenly will feel unnatural to everybody involved. Express yourself as you usually do.

The decreased should be the centre of discussions and the family should be a primary consideration during the funeral – this is not the time to take control of a situation or bring up other people’s experiences.

Finally, depending on the beliefs of the deceased and the family, expressions relating to loss and fate may not be well received. Regardless of your personal beliefs, it is best to speak on a level that the family can relate to.

Preparing Something to Say

If you are reading a eulogy, preparation is expected. But even if you are not, you may want to consider a few good stories or a few things to say before attending to avoid embarrassment or a blank mind if you’re put on the spot during a conversation. This is a particularly helpful approach for people who are often anxious or introverted.

After the Funeral

People outside the family often move on faster than those within it, and further support or condolences are often appreciated. You may want to

·         Call or visit around a week later
·         Remember the deceased birthdays or anniversaries
·         Offer support or practical help in the months after the funeral (especially with tasks that the deceased usually managed)

Choosing the right flowers to send to a funeral can be difficult, but the arrangement is often dictated by your relationship with the deceased or bereaved.

Casket sprays and crosses are usually chosen by whoever is making the funeral arrangements or very close family members. In some cases, funerals have an overall theme or matching flowers in the primary tributes, so you may want to check with the family before sending any particularly large arrangements.

There’s a huge variety of flowers available for funerals. You can choose from:

Posies and baskets are very versatile and can be sent directly to a funeral or to the family.

Funeral sprays are often used on top of the casket and come in a variety of designs. These should not be sent directly to the family as a gift.

Wreaths are probably the most well-known funeral tribute, and are usually sent directly to the funeral as a mark of respect.

Hearts make a very personal statement and show love and compassion. They are usually reserved for immediate family or people who are in the ‘inner circle’.

Funeral crosses are usually the primary tribute at a Christian funeral and make a very personal statement. They’re usually chosen by immediate family or very close friends.

Letter tributes are becoming more popular and are usually dedicated to a particular family member as a centrepiece.

Special or themed tributes are a reflection of the deceased, and a beautiful gesture of love and remembrance. They are chosen to remember the deceased’s passions and personality.

Cushions and pillows signify a final resting place and are beautifully crafted in a variety of sizes and colours.

If your flowers are not a gift for the family, it’s important to know where to send them to ensure that your gesture does not become an inconvenience and that the flowers are received at the right time.

Funeral Director

In most cases, funeral flowers are sent to the funeral parlour prior to the date. It means that undertakers can arrive at the destination with the flowers and coffin together. In most cases, flowers are directed to the parlour where the deceased is kept prior to the service.

When you’re sending the flowers, ensure that you have the name and date attached to the delivery.

A Home Address

In some cases, the family may choose to have a short service before or after the funeral and the flowers can be displayed there. Make sure that there is somebody available to receive the flowers when they arrive, and that there is room. If you are concerned that the family will be overwhelmed with flowers or planning at the time, it’s best to send it to the funeral director.

Church/Place of Worship/Crematorium

It’s usually best to avoid sending your tribute directly to the church or crematorium. There may not be anybody there to receive them or there could be confusion about where the flowers are going. Flowers may also be left outside for some time, which can cause them to wilt or be damaged by the wind before the service.

Funeral Flower Etiquette for Different Faiths

Different cultures have a range of expectations and attitudes towards funerals and expressing condolences. If you do not share the faith of the deceased or their family, here is a quick guide to the flower etiquette for different faiths. If you are still unclear about the expectations, you can speak to the venue where the service is being carried out for further guidance and advice.

When Funeral Flowers are Accepted

Buddhists, Baha’I, Catholics, Christians, Mormons, and Eastern Orthodox Christians all accept flowers at funerals.

However, flowers in the shape of a crucifix are not always accepted (eg. by Mormons). White flowers are preferred in Easter Orthodox funerals. White flowers are also traditional within Buddhism.

Flowers are present at Hindu ceremonies, and are often in the open casket.

In Asian funerals, white or yellow flowers are appreciated. In China, Japan, and Korea white chrysanthemums are symbolic of grief. Red flowers should be avoided as red is the colour of happiness.

When Funeral Flowers are Inappropriate

Flowers are not appropriate at orthodox Jewish or many Muslim funerals.

If you are attending a Jewish funeral, you should bring desserts, fruit, or Kosher food to the Shiva (the week after the funeral). Flowers are not appropriate for a Shiva call.

Whether or not flowers are acceptable at a Muslim funeral depends on the family and the religious leader, so if it’s appropriate to do so you may ask one of these. Some Muslims prefer to place emphasis on simplicity at funerals, so floral decorations are not in keeping with the beliefs about the funeral service.

If you are told that flowers are appropriate, fragrant flowers such as roses are popular. Palm branches or other greenery and individual flowers may also be placed on the grave.

Themed Funeral Flowers

Funeral flowers are sent by thousands of people every week to express love and respect for the deceased while conveying their sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of the departed. Flowers have a wonderful way of comforting and soothing us all with their natural beauty and wonderful aromas at all times of life but especially as we say our final goodbyes to a family member, partner, friend or loved one.

The increase in demand for themed funeral flower arrangements shows that a growing number of people are wishing to honour and remember the deceased with a flower arrangement that directly reflects the deceased person’s personality, hobbies, life and or interest/s.

Flowers for attending a funeral

It is worth remembering that any kind of flower arrangement that is generally associated with funerals is more than acceptable as both a tribute and a gift when attending any such event. If you are unsure of exactly which flowers are appropriate for a funeral or any occasion it is advisable to contact your local florist for advice, they will be more than happy to help you in any situation.

If you are to attend a funeral and the family of the deceased have decided on a specific theme for the funeral there are many options open to you allowing you to easily abide with their wishes while keeping within your budget.

Although no one would expect somebody to give a tribute of flowers that are themed in line with the deceased person’s life it is something that never fails to lift the spirits of funeral attendees and gives the sender an enormous sense of well-being knowing that their family member, partner, friend or loved one would have been proud to know that you have honoured their memory in a way that is unique to them.

Choosing the perfect themed flower arrangement

When choosing your perfect themed funeral flower arrangement and type of flowers to be used you will find that when using a professional, experienced local florist your imagination is the only barrier that you will face. If you are unsure of exactly what theme to use it is a very good idea to contact the family for ideas and then discuss the arrangement with the florist to determine the best theme, design ideas and price to suit both the deceased’s requirements and your individual budget.

We are an experienced funeral flower arrangement designer and supplier based in Cuffley, Hertfordshire. If you would like any help or advice please do not hesitate to contact us with your queries, questions or any orders that you wish to place.

Funeral Flowers

Funerals are unfortunately an inevitable part of life and an extremely emotional occasion where, at times, words simply don`t seem to be enough or adequately do justice to the occasion. This is just one of the reasons that people send Funeral flowers as a tribute to the deceased and also to help in some way to comfort the family and friends who have lost a loved one.

One of the main difficulties that many people experience when sending Funeral flowers is what to write in an accompanying card that not only expresses their feelings and relationship to the deceased but also helps to console his or her loved ones at the time.

While there is obviously a certain degree of etiquette involved in the wording of funeral flower cards there really are no hard and fast set rules to the content within. The best advice that we can give on this matter is to write something from the heart that is pertinent to your relationship with the person involved, after all, it is what the deceased would have wanted and it will be greatly appreciated by their family at the time.

If you do find that you are having trouble deciding what to write we have listed some examples below that will hopefully help you at this difficult time…

*= Insert the name of the deceased – insert individual name, or family names.

• Dearest * may you rest in peace. With love from the * family.
• In loving memory. God bless you, may you rest in peace. Love *
• To (family member or friend) with love *
• Sadly our time together was far too short. May you rest in peace in the arms of the Lord. Love *
• All of our hearts are filled with sorrow. Rest in peace with love from *
• You will always be in our hearts and will never be forgotten. Lots of love *
• To a much loved friend, you will always be in my heart. Lots of love *
• With deepest sympathy from *
• In loving memory of our dear (friend or family member). Our hearts and prayers are with all the family and we wish we were there with you today. With all our love *
• To a true gentleman who was always there for everyone and will be sadly missed by all. Rest in peace love *
• Dear * with love and fond memories. Rest in peace in the loving arms of God. *
• Good night and God bless (family member or friend) you will always be in our hearts. *
• (Family member or friend) will be sadly missed but always remembered with a smile. Lots of love *

If you would like any advice on Funeral flower arrangements please contact First Impression Flowers today.

• Yellow: A yellow flower is a symbol of happiness, friendship, enthusiasm, luxury, success, pride and treachery. It also represents the jealousy.

• Red: A red flower is a favourite of youth as it represents an essence of emotions such as love and passion. It is also a symbol of courage, desire, admiration, constancy and respect. A red flower is a token of youth and enthusiasm.

• Orange: You can represent your strong love, or a satisfaction of attaining the success through an orange flower. It is also a token of desire and enthusiasm. This vibrant colour conveys satisfaction, confidence and passion for life.

• Green: This refreshing colour represents resilience, youth, health and good fortune. The green flowers send a message of pleasure, renewal and optimism.

• White: White colour itself is a symbol of peace and purity. If you ask what is the meaning of white colour, you will get the answer that it is a token of purity, humility, innocence and silence. It represents the heavenly, pious and sincere feelings. The white blossoms convey an elegance and modesty.

• Pink: The elegant pink flowers attract the lovers. Pink is a color of love. And hence, offering a pink flower expresses your love and passion for the other person. A light pink flower is a symbol of delicacy, gentleness, grace, admiration and confidence. A dark pink flower represents the emotions such as gratitude and appreciation.

• Lavender: A lavender flower represents beauty, solitude and admiration. The lavender flowers are a token of grace, refinement and elegance. The lavender blossoms convey a message of a feminine beauty.

• Peach pink: If you wish to express your sympathy, gratitude friendship or gentleness, then you can offer a peach pink flower.

• Purple: This colour is associated with the royalty and ceremony. The purple flower is a token of pride, dignity and success. The purple blooms represent admiration and accomplishment.

• Blue: The blue flowers can reduce stress and worries. They represent serenity, openness and peace. A blue flower offers a cooling effect. It is a perfect gift that promotes the muse of an artist, poet or musician. The blue flowers can be a unique gift to boost the inspiration.