First and foremost, we would tackle its definition and why we give flowers on such a situation in people’s lives.
We define bereavement as where an individual lost a loved one and as for a definition in google it is an experience of loss of a known member in your family or someone who is dearest to you.
We define this word bereavement because not all people of different cultures know the meaning of it or rather not even familiar with this specific word.
In the funeral service where there will be a guest who would visit this bereaved individual. A guest or visitor who usually will pay respect and give flowers as a symbol of sympathy. Therefore, these flowers that are given and displayed are termed as bereaved flowers.
Synonymously used as sympathy flowers, grieving flowers, mourning flowers, obituaries flowers, and funeral service flowers.
Bereavement Flowers:
There are kinds of bereaved flowers that are available in the market, shop, and malls which we could send to the family experiencing bereavement.
The most common of these flowers and the widely universal chosen kind are the white flowers. Like white stargazer lilies, white roses, and orchids are the most popular from the white color category.
We can site examples of flowers from other color categories. Flowers like carnation, lilies, gladioli, chrysanthemums, roses, hydrangeas, irises, forget me not, baby breath, daffodil, tulips, and orchids.
Colors:
Now as for more information why would we choose white color for giving the bereaved flower, white because it is a sign and symbol of respect, purity, high regard of honor, can also be a sign of sincere condolences and grief.
In some countries, they give bereaved flowers according to their culture and or according to reasons, accessibility, affordability and so on so forth. Colored flowers are also accepted by the bereaved family.
Red symbolizes as love and courage (like red roses)
Lavender as it is for preciousness to a particular individual (lavender chrysanthemums, iris, English lavender, calla Lillies)
White as it is for pure and with high respect and honor (white stargazer lilies, white orchids, white roses, baby’s breath, carnation and cushion poms)
Blue as it is for peace and serenity (forget-me-nots, blue hydrangeas, cornflowers)
Yellow as for friendship (daffodils, tulips)
Pink as for gratitude and or as sympathy (pink carnations, pink chrysanthemums)
And for whatever reasons why we give bereaved flowers, it is always the inner intentions that we base our choice of color upon.
It is always white flowers as for universal choice and widely accepted kind of bereaved flower because you will never go wrong with white, no matter what culture is the sender and the receiver.
Other Cultural reasons and awareness:
As for mourning of Chinese, they choose white, they do not give nor accept red bereaved flowers, because it would be the cruelest and rudest gesture to show their family if we send them the red flowers when they grieve. It would only be appropriate that we do little research before sending flowers to anyone.
Even in funeral services, they do not wear red clothes either. So when it comes to mourning and grieving, it was their tradition to pick the color of white to use and wear during this season of loss.
As for the tradition and culture of Muslims, it is better to ask someone either if it is appropriate to send flowers to the family but mostly Muslim family they do accept flowers.
As for most Asian countries. They usually choose and send the white and yellow flowers for mourning and grieving.
As for the Philippines and other Catholics around the world, aside from the funeral service, they also have 40 days after the burial of the deceased person, the family and friends gather together for praying so we could also give bereaved flowers in such occasion.
As for Japan, Korea, European countries and some regions in America. They prefer Chrysanthemums particularly for their symbol of grief.
Funeral Flower Arrangements:
According to the affordability and accessibility of flowers in your locality
Basket of all sizes
Standing Sprays
Dish Gardens, Plants
Wreaths, Hearts, and Crosses
And as for your particular choice
Importance of bereavement flowers:
We would strongly recommend to those who will visit a bereaved individual or a remaining family of the deceased person. This giving of bereaved flowers is a gesture of showing sympathy and compassion to your coworker, colleagues, friends, relatives, fellow or comrades. Because we deeply share in their grief and loss and we do express our sincere and heartfelt condolence to them.
Moreover, during these sorrow times when they were grieving, troubled, down and weary. They could rely on a good friend a shoulder to cry and lean on. It is an opportunity for you to show them your love, compassion, sympathy and high regard to their loved ones and also by giving them bereaved flowers.
Send them flowers where ever they are, may it be in their church, burial, graveside, wake, funeral parlor or home funeral. Be a good friend to share good flowers.
Flowers with conveying message:
There is a good saying as quoted by Mahatma Gandhi “There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.”
Ambience:
Another factor that we would like to its significance is the serene ambiance that it brings to the place of funeral service which adds up to peace and solemnity of the gathering.
Is Bereavement Flowers applicable in the new millennial generation?
It depends on the bringing up of the parents. This kind of tradition has passed through several generations and it exists up to now. If elderly folks would not give sufficient value for this kind of giving gesture. Then the answer is obviously evident, that it might be gone. But when folks take time to show and give them a strong foundation to continue this tradition, as long as the sympathy lingers in the hearts of the young generation. It’s not just flowers that we share in seasons of loss, it is our heartfelt sympathy and condolences.