Since the times of ancient Greeks and Romans, lilies have been associated with purity and innocence. It's perhaps unsurprising, then, that the lily is the flower most commonly associated with funeral services, as they have come to represent the soul of the deceased returning to a place of peace.
Lilies. The lily is the flower most commonly associated with funeral services as they symbolize the innocence that has been restored to the soul of the departed. The white lily expresses majesty and purity, where as white stargazer lilies specifically symbolize sympathy.
Coffin sprays are usually chosen by close family members as the main floral tribute. Designed to sit beautifully on top of the coffin, a range of colour and sizes is often available to suit all budgets. They can also be known as casket sprays or double ended sprays.
The most common reason people place flowers on caskets at funerals is as a form of condolence. After losing a loved one, it's hard to put these feelings into words. Even if you're not close to the deceased, it's important to show support to the bereaved family in any way you can.
The chrysanthemum, or mum, makes a wonderful choice when mourning with a family that has ties to Europe or Asia. China, Korea and Japan use white chrysanthemums to symbolize grief. Gladioli. When mourning someone who displayed strength and character in life, the gladioli is an excellent choice to send to the family.
Chrysanthemum. White and yellow chrysanthemums are widely used to say goodbye, particularly in Asia. This 'golden flower' is packed with meaning in those countries.
But lilies can also represent grief and mourning; they're one of the most popular flowers at funerals in the United States, and are often sent as sympathy flowers. According to some interpretations, lilies symbolize death because they represent the moment when the soul departs the body.
At a funeral, the classic deep red rose evokes love and grief. The yellow rose is often given by friends to show their bond. The rarer dark pink roses are used to express thankfulness to the deceased. Tip: Roses can be mixed in with other flowers or used in a casket spray, standing spray, or wreath.
The practice of leaving flowers at graves began thousands of years ago when the ancient Greeks would honor fallen warriors. They believed that if the flowers rooted into the ground and grew from the gravesite, it was a sign that the fallen had found peace.
In the funeral ceremony, symbols such as the cross (for Christians; other faiths use other symbols), flowers, and candles provide points of focus for mourners. They represent a reality that is hard to accept but that their beauty makes more approachable in this moment.
Lilies. Lilies are the most popular flowers for funerals. They represent restored innocence in a soul after a person has died. White lilies symbolize purity and sympathy.
Among the other flowers were sweet peas, on of the Queen's favourite flowers, dahlias, phlox, white heather and pine fir.
The particular myrtle included in the wreath placed upon the Queen's coffin was cut from a plant which was grown from a sprig taken from Her Majesty's wedding bouquet in 1947. Also included in the wreath is scented pelargoniums, garden roses, autumnal hydrangea, sedum, dahlias and scabious.
Lilly: Innocence, purity, and resurrection. In Christianity it is associated with the Virgin Mary and the Resurrection of Christ. It is commonly seen on women's headstones and is often used at funerals as a symbol of the restored innocence of a soul at the time of death.
Chrysanthemums
Asian countries see white chrysanthemums as a symbol of grief, whereas European countries view this flower as a symbol of death and only use them for memorial services or graves. In the United States, chrysanthemums are typically viewed as lighthearted flowers that honor the life of the lost loved one.
White lilies symbolise purity and rebirth
Often chosen for both weddings and funerals, white lilies symbolise a rejuvenation of the soul. They can represent purity, commitment and rebirth, which is why they're often chosen as Sympathy Flowers.
Spiritual teachers and biblical references suggest that our beloved departed ones may know when we visit their grave, and people may feel a sense of being watched or comforted when they visit a loved one's grave.
Casket Sprays
Traditionally, they are sent by an immediate family member of the deceased. These flowers are designed to be spread on the casket and can either be of the full casket type—flowers placed through the length of the casket—or the lid type—flowers sprayed only over the lid.
To Symbolize Their Visit
Many people leave stones on a loved one's grave or memorial to mark their visit. The symbol of the stone can bring comfort to family and friends, letting them know their loved one has been visited, grieved and prayed for by others, too.
Purple, a color traditionally tied to notions of royalty and dignity, is less frequently seen but still bears significant meaning in funeral flower arrangements. Purple flowers, like lavender or violets, often stand as a symbol of admiration and honor for a life that was well-lived.
It's hard to fathom after seeing the beauty these blooms bring. But many consider lilies to be “funeral flowers”, and thus believe having them in your home is a bad omen. (Although we don't feel anything but lucky having these fragrant flowers nearby!)
Any species of the white lily can be given at a funeral service. However, the white stargazer lily is considered to the saddest flower for any bad news. The flowers should be carefully selected especially there are some species of lily which are not meant for a funeral.
Around the world, lilies signify purity and the radiance. When you bring lilies to a funeral, you suggest that the deceased's soul has been restored to a state of innocence. White stargazer lilies, in particular, symbolise ambition and sympathy. Oriental lilies represent eternal life, and peace lilies suggest rebirth.