10/24/2025
Different flowers hold unique meanings, and selecting the right ones can add a deeply personal touch to a memorial arrangement. Here are some popular flowers often used in funeral or memorial settings and what they symbolize:
Lilies: Often associated with funerals, lilies symbolize the restored innocence of the soul of the deceased. The white lily, in particular, represents purity and peace.
Roses: Each color of rose carries a different meaning. Red roses symbolize love and respect, white roses represent purity and reverence, and yellow roses can symbolize friendship or a celebration of life.
Carnations: Long-lasting and fragrant, carnations are a popular funeral flower. White carnations represent pure love and innocence, while pink carnations are often given as a symbol of remembrance.
Chrysanthemums: In many cultures, chrysanthemums are a symbol of death and are often used specifically for funeral arrangements, particularly in Europe and Asia.
Gladiolus: These tall, striking flowers symbolize strength of character, integrity, and sincerity—perfect for honoring someone who embodied these qualities.
While these are the traditional sympathy flowers, I love mixing these with "non traditional" flowers to create something beautiful. While traditionally, the biggest arrangements (quantity) were sought to have at services, many people now are choosing quality over size. Along, with mixing in many unique flowers.
What flower do you expect to see at funerals?
