5 Best Sympathy Flowers and Their Symbolism

Flowers carry profound symbolic meanings that resonate with our emotions and lend comfort during hard times. We gather to honour the memory of a loved one at funerals or wakes in bereavement, and the flowers we choose serve as an equally heartfelt tribute. They help us express sorrow and lend vital support to those who have lost someone very dear.

Understanding which flowers are appropriate for this sad but important occasion can truly help you convey your deepest sympathies. In this article, we will explore 6 types of bereavement flowers, highlighting their unique meanings and the special roles they play in our expressions of love and remembrance.

Chrysanthemums

In Europe, chrysanthemums are typically associated with funerals. In Asia, however, they are more commonly used to mark celebratory occasions. Most flower enthusiasts know that the beautiful floral arrangements that can be made with chrysanthemums make them a wonderful tribute to someone's life, one filled with joy, love, and accomplishments worth celebrating. Different colours of the flower can also symbolise different things. For example, white means purity, red signifies love, and so forth. In essence, chrysanthemums symbolise truth, honour, and vitality; they are seen as an appropriate flower for bidding a final goodbye to someone who has died.

Lilies

Among the most well-known funeral flowers, white lilies symbolise purity and innocence. They are commonly associated with the belief that the lily was a symbol of the Virgin Mary, who embodied the very notions of peace and perfection that the flower represents. In fact, white is often considered the most appropriate choice for a funeral flower, and a floral display featuring white lilies would offer a calm and soothing (and even fragrant) presence that one might wish for during a memorial service. Not only that, but the liveliness of the blossoms would also make for a very beautiful tribute.

Roses

These widely beloved flowers have widely different meanings attributed to their various colours. White roses, like the lily, signify purity and innocence. Pink and peach roses symbolise sincerity and gratitude, making them ideal for giving to a family whose loved one was a blessing in your life. The yellow rose is a friendship flower, expressing support during a time of grief for your friend. All these colours make the rose a great sympathy flower gift for a grieving family.

Carnations

Carnations are a widely recognised emblem of profound affection, respect, and memory. Their cultural and emotional importance runs deep. They are the flowers we associate with the most heartfelt feelings of love and the kind of remembrance that extends beyond the grave. The name of this flower is said by some to derive from the Latin term incarnatio, which means "to make flesh" and thus lends a spiritual dimension to this flower's representation of love and memory. In times of sorrow, when we most desire to express our love and admiration in a way that is appropriate to the occasion, this flower may do the job better than any other.

Additionally, they are an especially fitting selection to pay tribute to mothers, as carnations are the traditional bloom of Mother's Day. Using these flowers in an arrangement for a wake or funeral service is a subtle yet powerful gesture to honour a woman who showed strength and devotion in nurturing and guiding a family. The ruffled, soft petals of this long-lasting flower offer a subtle beauty ideal for memorial services, and the variety of colours adds versatile meaning to any tribute for a beloved matriarch. This includes white for pure love, pink for gratitude, and red for admiration.

Orchids

Funeral orchids are among the best flowers for death because they are beautiful, rare, and enduring. They are perfect for sending funeral orchid arrangements to the families of the deceased. Orchids can also be used in casket sprays, adding an elegant and meaningful touch to the display. Traditionally, two orchids are given at funerals or during periods of grief, symbolising lasting love and remembrance. Sending flowers is one of the most acceptable gestures of sympathy to someone who has lost a loved one, and orchids, in particular, are perfect for sending to someone who has experienced a loss. Sending flowers like these is a thoughtful way to express your sympathy and offer comfort to someone who has lost a loved one.

The Best Sympathy Flowers and Their Symbolism

When we experience loss, sympathy flowers become an important means of expressing compassion, love, and remembrance. Each type of flower carries a powerful and often subtle message of its own. Lilies tell the recipient that we wish them peace. Roses tells them we love them. Chrysanthemums, on the other hand, show how we honour the deceased and are deeply grateful for the privilege of having known them.

At shopflowerstands, we offer an array of serene and beautiful flowers for condolences, filled with meaning and empathy. Explore our lovely sympathy flower stands today, where every bouquet is crafted with care and love.