Sending flowers to a funeral is a thoughtful way to express your condolences. Flowers have long been an important part of funeral ceremonies, and each variety has its own unique meaning. Before you choose an arrangement to express your condolences, learn more about the different types of sympathy flowers and what they symbolize.
"It can be hard to express our sympathy to those who are grieving," says Jim McCann, founder and chairman, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. "Let the people in your life know you are thinking of them with a call, a note, or flowers, if appropriate."
Funeral flower meanings
1. Calla lilies
The calla lily is featured in the Christian Easter service as a symbol of Jesus' resurrection and represents holiness, faith, and rebirth. Additionally, they have come to signify youth and beauty.
2. Carnations
Carnations are a popular choice for funeral or sympathy arrangements. Each color symbolizes a specific emotion: White represents innocence and untainted love, pink is associated with remembrance of the deceased, and red means admiration for a loved one that has passed away.
3. Chrysanthemums
Also known by their abbreviated name "mums," chrysanthemums have different meanings depending on their color and the country in which they're found. In the U.S., red mums mean love, while white signifies innocence and truth.
4. Daffodils
Daffodils symbolize rebirth and new beginnings. Because of this, they make an excellent flower arrangement for religious families. In China, the daffodil is associated with good fortune. In Japan, it means mirth and joy. In French, the daffodil means "esperance," or "hope."
5. Gardenias
Gardenias are white flowers that represent purity and peace. The beautiful, fragrant flowers of a gardenia offer comfort to those who are grieving. The gardenia also symbolizes love, making it a touching choice for remembering the lives of family and friends.
6. Gladiolus
The gladiolus is also known as the "sword lily" because it can grow up to 4 feet tall. It has many symbolic meanings, including integrity, sincerity, and strength of character. It’s available in a range of colors, including pink, orange, red, white, purple, yellow, and salmon.
7. Hydrangeas
The hydrangea blooms in spring, symbolizing a sense of renewal. Its meaning is not as well known as that of other funeral flowers, but some believe it also conveys true, heartfelt emotions.
8. Lilies
The lily is the flower most commonly associated with bereavement, specifically when it's white in color. White lilies symbolize innocence, the rebirth of the soul, and purity. Additionally, the Oriental lily signifies sympathy, and the stargazer lily symbolizes eternal life.
9. Orchids
Families often choose orchids for their long-lasting nature so they can keep them for a while after the funeral. Typically, orchids of any color symbolize everlasting love, but funeral flower arrangements often include white and/or pink orchids to convey sympathy.
10. Roses
In most situations, roses — especially red — symbolize love. Other colors, however, can have different meanings. White means innocence and humility, while pink means appreciation and grace. Dark red generally represents sorrow, whereas yellow can represent loyalty or friendship.
11. Tulips
Tulips have many meanings based on their colors. Yellow symbolizes cheerful thoughts or hope, and pink expresses confidence or happiness. Purple can be used to mean admiration for a loved one's accomplishments, while white signifies peace or forgiveness and are best suited for funerals.
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