Since around 60,000 BCE, flowers have been a way to show one’s sympathy to those grieving a loss. Flowers signify kindness and love, and they can truly bring comfort to mourning families. Let’s take a look at the special meanings behind some of the more popular flowers used for funeral arrangements.
Roses
Any color of roses can be sent to those grieving a loss, and each rose color can represent different emotions and feelings. Crimson roses signify one’s sorrow and represent grief. Yellow roses represent friendship. Red roses signify love and respect. White roses represent youth and innocence. Pink roses symbolize grace and love.
Chrysanthemums
These flowers are often viewed as a cheerful way to honor someone’s life. They also represent truth and are often viewed as the flower that symbolizes death.
Lilies
Lilies are a very common choice of flowers for a funeral arrangement. They symbolize the innocence of the departed soul.
Orchids
Pink or white orchids represent eternal love and are the most popular for funeral arrangements. Orchids can also be given as a living plant to those mourning a loss.
Carnations
Pink carnations represent remembrance. Red carnations stand for admiration. White carnations symbolize pure love.
Flowers aren’t the only way to show sympathy. Both indoor and outdoor living plants can be a uniquely beautiful way to honor someone. Living plants provide more long-term growth and can often symbolize the living memory of a loved one. Memorial trees can also be a meaningful way to remember special pets that have passed away.
Popular Living Plants
- Peace Lily (Indoor) - Peace lilies can represent rebirth of the soul and a peaceful state of innocence. These plants have dark, glossy green leaves in the shape of ovals. They can produce white flowers as well. Most indoor peace lily plants can grow from 12 to 18 inches tall. The best place to keep a peace lily plant is near a window where it can absorb indirect sunlight.
- Philodendron (Indoor) - Philodendron’s are an easy-to-grow tropical houseplant. These are a popular choice, because they can last a long period of time, and therefore the memory of a lost love one remains present in the home. These plants will want to have indirect sunlight, as direct light can burn the leaves.
- Succulents (Indoor) - Succulent gardens can be very customizable and personalized, and succulents themselves symbolize enduring and timeless love. This easy-to-grow garden can survive for a long time, and is a personal way to remember a loved one in the home.
- Azaleas (Indoor and Outdoor) - These flowering shrubs will normally bloom in the spring, and their flowers will last for several weeks. The flower colors can be shades of pink, white and red. These shrubs are shade-tolerant and grow best when they are close to the side of a house or building, or underneath a tree. Azaleas represent familial duty and symbolize elegance and an abundance of wisdom or beauty.
- Juniper Bonsai Tree (Indoor) - This miniature tree is a low-growing juniper that has lush greens. These trees will grow best when put in a place that will receive a minimum of 4 hours of sunlight per day. It’s also important not to overwater this tree. Bonsai traditionally symbolize peace, harmony and healing and can be a great way for family and friends to remember the times they shared with a lost loved one.
Many of these flower and plant options, living plants, and several more arrangements are available at The Flower Shop at Cedar Memorial Park.