There has long been an association between flowers and funerals. They’ve been used for purely practical purposes. And they’ve been used to express the deepest of feelings. Today, we use funeral flowers as a symbol of our sadness and an expression of our sympathy. But it can be tricky to know what to send and when.
There is an etiquette to funeral flowers that we’re all somehow supposed to know. And yet no one ever really tells us what it is. So, what should you be considering when selecting flowers for a funeral?
How to Select Funeral and Sympathy Flowers
There are a number of factors to take into account that can help you select the right funeral flowers to send.
The religion of the deceased
While flowers have become an integral part of funerals for most religions, it isn’t the case for all. Funeral flowers and sympathy flowers do not typically play a role in Jewish funerals. In fact, it’s not considered appropriate to send any flowers until after the seven days of shiva have passed. And for Muslim funerals, it’s considered polite to ask permission from the family before any flowers are sent. For Hindu funerals, garlands are preferred. And for Mormon funerals, flowers are welcomed, but not in the shape of a cross.
For Christian and Catholic funerals, things are a little bit easier. All flowers are appreciated – unless the family has requested that flowers not be sent. They may prefer a donation to charity instead. They may just want the flowers to be a representation of their love and grief. If that is the case, then it’s sensible – and sensitive – to follow their wishes.
Your relationship to the deceased
Your relationship to the person who has passed away should be your main guide when selecting the kind of arrangement to send.
Sympathy flowers come with no such rigid rules. Simply select an arrangement that lets the family know you care. Most people opt for shades of white for its association with peace, purity and love. But sometimes a touch of colour can work well too.
The choice of flowers
There aren’t really any set funeral flowers. Some favour carnations because they symbolise love. The lily has always been a popular choice for funerals because they represent peace. And roses of every hue have their own particular meanings – pink for friendship, red for love (or heartbreak), white for innocence, while the hybrid tea rose is said to denote remembrance, and a promise never to forget the deceased. Ferns are also used in funeral arrangements for their association with sincerity.
But as a rule, we’d recommend just going with the flowers you think the loved one you’ve lost would have loved themselves. If you know that they adored sunflowers, seeing them at the funeral will let their family know how much you care. If they always wore purple, then make that the focus of your arrangement.
Selecting flowers for a funeral is never an easy thing to do. But the effort can bring a little comfort at the most distressing of times. And sometimes, that’s all you can really hope for.
If you would like some guidance on selecting funeral or sympathy flowers, please do contact the Blue Florist team. We’ll do everything we can to help.