One great way to pay tribute to a deceased person is to give or send funeral flowers. This is the most difficult time for the grieving family that not even comforting words can be enough to ease the pain they feel. Some people are hesitant to show their thoughtful gesture during this time of sorrow even to closest friends. If you are facing the same thing, here is a guide to funeral flowers that you can follow to convey your deepest condolences to a grieving family:
Consider Your Relationship to the Deceased Person
- Immediate Family
If you are one of the immediate family members, such as parents, spouse, children, and siblings, the funeral flowers that you should choose include the casket sprays, wreaths, and special flower arrangements for the funeral. Family members may also bring standing sprays and funeral baskets if they want to.
- Close Relatives and Other Relatives
Close relatives and other relatives may bring wreaths to give honor or pay tribute to a family member who passed away. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren may choose to bring funeral flowers in special designs as a way of paying last respect to the deceased person.
- Non-Relatives
Non-relatives may choose to bring or send funeral baskets, sprays, and sheaf arrangements to condole with the grieving family. Flowers in special arrangements are an effective way of expressing sympathy and support to the family on this difficult time.
Consider the Religion, Faith, or Beliefs of the Family
- The Family belongs to a Christian, Protestant, or Catholic Religion
If the family belongs to a Christian, Catholic, or Protestant religion, they may accept all types of flower arrangements for the funeral. However, it is still best to consider what specific types of flowers and colors of flowers they want to have at the funeral home.
- The Family belongs to a Jewish Faith
For families who belong to the Jewish faith, they do not want funeral flowers during the first seven days of mourning and grief. It is not appropriate for them to receive or send flowers to convey deep sympathy, but they are open to accepting donations instead.
- The Family belongs to a Buddhist Religion
For the family in the Buddhist religion, the only flowers they accept as sympathy and funeral flowers are white flowers. White flowers are symbolic of their grief and mourning.
- The Family belongs to a Hindu Religion
All types of funeral flower arrangements may be acceptable to the Hindu religion. However, the religious leaders prefer to wear funeral garlands or place garlands on the casket to emphasize the traditional rites. Friends of the deceased person or of the grieving family may choose to bring funeral sprays to convey their condolences and sympathy messages.
- The Family belongs to a Muslim Religion
The Islamic people are generally traditional when it comes to funeral flowers. However, there are Muslim families who are open to accepting funeral flowers in simple arrangements. It is best to ask the family first before sending one to avoid sending the wrong message to the family.
- The Family belongs to a Mormon Religion
Funeral flowers are acceptable in a Mormon funeral. The family may accept flowers but refuse any flower wreaths in cross shape even if it is meant to pay tribute or to give respect to the deceased person.
- In Lieu of Flowers
There are families, on the other hand, who prefer cash donations, charity donations, or gifts to charitable institution as funeral tribute in lieu of flowers. The family states the request in the obituary notices or in any public funeral announcements.
Types of Funeral Flowers
- Roses
Although Roses are considered as the most romantic flowers, this type of flower is a staple flower for any funeral flower arrangements. Roses, especially white, yellow, and red ones, are used to create customized funeral wreaths and cushion flowers.
- Gladiola
The tall stem and soft shades of Gladiola make it a common option for funeral flower arrangements. Traditionally and symbolically speaking, this flower speaks of strength, morality, and virtue. Although Gladiola flowers are considered as flowers for joyful celebrations, they are also a great choice of flower for the funerals, especially the blooms in pastel or lighter colors.
- Peace Lily
The white bloom and the heavenly scent of Peace Lily flowers are symbolic of a peaceful and restful environment. This is one of the reasons why it is a worthwhile option for funeral flowers. The blooms are meant to offer sincerest condolences and sympathy, as well as comfort to the grieving family of the deceased person.
- Carnations
Widely popular in different parts of the world as the flower for funerals, Carnations are often used to create funeral sprays and wreaths. The soft colors of Carnations, usually peach, white, cream, and pink, are suitable to the solemn and intimate funeral tradition.
- Cyclamen
The flowers of Cyclamen are meant for such a sorrowful occasion. In fact, its blooms are symbolic of death or funeral because of the poisonous petals.
- Chrysanthemums
The flowers of Chrysanthemums are considered as a traditional funeral flower. In fact, there are countries like Korea, Japan, and several places in Europe that consider Chrysanthemums as the type of flower meant only to express sympathy and condolences.
- Orchids
The flowers of Orchids are the first option when it comes to funeral flowers. They are not only symbolic and meaningful of elegant tribute or respect to a deceased person, but also expressive of the deepest sympathy and condolences to the grieving family.