Corsages and Flowers play an important part in the days proceeding the death of a family member or friend. Most people give flowers as a token or expression of an emotion. For a funeral flowers are given to express love for the deceased and love, support, and concern for the members of the grieving family.
For many centuries, flowers were used to hide the smell of decomposing bodies long enough for the funeral to take place. The flowers were placed in and around the casket so their fragrance would overpower any other unpleasant odours that might add to the grief and distress of the mourners.
Although any type and colour of flowers can be used, some are definitely more popular than others. Some have a symbolic meaning, so this could also be taken into consideration when choosing an arrangement, spray, or corsage.
Some typical examples of funeral flowers are: –
- Carnations – love, respect, purity.
- White lilies – peace. The lily is the flower most commonly associated with funeral services, as they symbolise the peace and innocence that has been restored to the soul of the departed.
- Irises – affection
- Roses – love, respect.
- Daisies and daffodils – innocence. These are especially appropriate for a child’s funeral.
- Chrysanthemums or Mums, as they’re sometimes called. These are also often used as funeral flowers, especially the white ones, where they symbolise death, grief and sorrow – particularly popular in some European countries.
- Gladioli – embodies strength of character, sincerity and moral integrity. Sometimes the colour of the flowers can also play a role, especially if the deceased had a special colour.
Arrangements – Corsages and Sprays
Casket sprays for placing on the casket are only appropriate for family members, as are the larger sprays displayed on easels in the church.
- Standard arrangements, from cut flowers, to basket and container displays are good choices for both family members and acquaintances.
- Corsages are generally worn as signifying a celebration. Although they are not often seen at a funeral, in some instances a mother or widow may wear a corsage to celebrate the life of a deceased, rather than to mourn.
- A longer-lasting potted plant is also an alternative to cut flowers.
Beliefs and Preferences
Occasionally families prefer donations to a charity in lieu of the traditional flowers, but this, if it’s the family’s wishes, will usually be stated in the death notice.
Jewish funerals do not usually include flowers, mostly because the burial occurs as soon as possible after death. There is simply no time to arrange flowers. After the seven days of mourning (Shiva) which follows on after the funeral, the Reformed Jews are comfortable receiving flowers at the time of receiving other gifts.
At Islamic funerals it is common to place individual flowers on graves, together with other greenery, while at a Hindu funeral, flowers don’t play a traditional part at all. At Buddhist funerals, while red flowers are totally unacceptable, white or yellow flowers will be well received.
With Asian funerals, the colour of the sent flowers is very significant and white or yellow flowers are usually the safest and best choice here.
Say it with Flowers – You Can’t Go Wrong
At the time when a family is grieving, flowers create a background of warmth, beauty and fragrance, adding to an atmosphere of comfort, familiarity, and peace.
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