Articles and Advice

The 6 Best Flowers for Funerals and How to Arrange Them

In the past, flowers in funeral services ensured a pleasant aroma wafted through the venue. Flowers at funerals aren’t necessarily used for that purpose today, but they remain a part of the tradition.

Flowers offer a sign of sympathy, love, care, and hope. These sentiments can be hard to put into words, especially at times as tender as the passing of a loved one. So when words fail, flowers can show how you feel.

But which flowers should you pick? We’ll go over the best flowers for funerals and the different ways you may wish to arrange them.

6 Types of Flowers for Funerals

What flowers are best at funerals? There are many flowers you can display at funerals, memorial services, and scattering ceremonies. Here are six of the best flowers for funerals and the sentiments they imbue.

1. Lilies

Lilies are a classic, go-to flower for funerals, and for good reason. Lilies are symbolic of your loved one’s soul returning to a peaceful state of innocence. As such, the potent aromatics of a lily can be a strong reminder and comfort that the departed has moved on from this life and is at peace.

2. Roses

Roses are beautiful flowers that have different meanings depending on their color:

• Red: Love, respect, grief
• White: Spirituality, purity, innocence
• Yellow: Close bonds, friendship
• Pink: Grace, love, gentility
• Dark pink: Gratitude for the dearly departed 

You may wish to mix and match which roses you use in the flower arrangement to represent the different sentiments and feelings you associate with your loved one.

3. Carnations

Carnations are ruffly flowers that are commonly used in funeral wreaths. Like roses, their meaning depends on the color of the flower:

• White: Purity, innocence, fortune
• Red: Admiration, love, affection
• Pink: Gratitude, remembrance, never-ending love

Some other carnation colors have negative connotations. Yellow carnations, for example, are associated with disappointment and rejection. While it is normal for anyone grieving to experience these feelings, they probably don’t want to be reminded of them when they see those flowers.

4. Forget-Me-Nots

These are named perfectly for what they represent. Forget-me-nots are a simple way to communicate that you will always cherish your loved one’s memory in your heart.

5. Chrysanthemums (Mums)

The meaning behind mums varies depending on where you are in the world. In Europe and North America, they are often associated with sympathy and honor—two sentiments worthy of a memorial service. Meanwhile, in Asia, mums can symbolize rebirth. While this could be used in a funeral to indicate new beginnings, people in this part of the world are more likely to bring mums to baby showers than funerals.

6. Orchids

Orchids, no matter the color, represent eternal love. So, if you want the deceased to know that you will always love them even after they’re gone, orchids can help you show that.

4 Different Types of Floral Arrangements for Funerals

You can use a flower’s type and color to communicate a message of empathy and love, but you should also put some thought into how you want to display these flowers. At most memorial services, you’ll see one or more of the following four flower arrangements.

1. Wreaths

Floral wreaths have additional symbolism of eternal life, so if your loved one believed in an afterlife, this arrangement could have an added sentiment. 

Wreaths are usually displayed on easels next to a picture of the deceased or by the entrance to the venue.

2. Crosses

Funeral crosses are simply an arrangement of flowers designed to look like a cross. A clear symbolism of Christianity, this flower arrangement may be appropriate for Christian funerals.

3. Bouquets

Bouquets are a wonderful flower arrangement option because you can easily include any flower you want. For example, mix roses and carnations to create a display that brings feelings of hope and love in a setting that needs those sentiments.

4. Sprays

Sprays are essentially flat bouquets that are displayed on top of a casket. Funeral sprays may also go inside the casket with your loved one. Or, if your loved one wishes to be cremated, you can display sprays on a flower stand beside the urn.

What Are the Best Flowers for a Funeral?

Even after learning about different flowers and arrangements, you may still be left to wonder which flowers are suitable for the funeral of your loved one. You knew them the best, so we believe you’re the best judge of which flowers are appropriate.

If you need some ideas to get you started, here are some flower arrangements that are appropriate for various situations:

• For a close friend: A bouquet of yellow roses and pink carnations
• For a family member: A wreath of red roses and mums of any color
• For a spouse/partner: An elegant bouquet of orchids
• For a mentor: A bouquet of dark red roses and forget-me-nots

Please note: It’s not common practice to bring flowers to the funeral venue since flowers will likely already be present. Instead, you can send flowers to the home of the grieving family.

Find the Best Flowers

We hope this guide helped you learn which flowers are the best options for your loved one’s funeral or memorial service. If you have any further questions about funeral floral arrangements, please call us at All California Cremation. We will be more than happy to discuss different options with you.