Funeral flowers are a meaningful way to pay tribute to the deceased, offering comfort to grieving families and symbolizing various emotions. While traditional flowers like lilies, roses, and chrysanthemums are often used in funeral arrangements, there are many less common options that can provide a unique and personal touch. Below are some uncommon yet fitting flowers for funeral services.
Anemones
Known for their delicate beauty and wide array of colors, anemones symbolize protection against evil and represent anticipation. In the context of funerals, they can evoke the idea of guarding the spirit and awaiting a reunion in the afterlife.
- Colors: White, pink, red, purple, blue
- Symbolism: Protection, remembrance
- Historical Significance: In Greek mythology, anemones were believed to have sprung from the tears of Aphrodite as she mourned the death of Adonis, making them a poignant symbol of loss and mourning.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are unique and striking flowers that can convey strength and grace under pressure. They add a distinctive vertical element to floral arrangements and can be a touching tribute to someone who showed resilience and dignity throughout their life.
- Colors: Yellow, pink, white, red, purple
- Symbolism: Strength, graciousness
- Historical Significance: In Roman culture, snapdragons were thought to protect against evil forces, making them a fitting choice for a funeral to symbolize protection and resilience.
Gladiolus
The gladiolus is a flower that symbolizes moral integrity, sincerity, and strength of character. Its tall spikes make it a bold and elegant choice, perfect for honoring someone who lived with strong convictions and a noble heart.
- Colors: Red, pink, white, purple, orange
- Symbolism: Strength, integrity, remembrance
Forget-Me-Nots
As their name suggests, forget-me-nots symbolize remembrance, making them an ideal flower for a funeral. They serve as a beautiful way to express a desire to keep the memory of the deceased alive in the hearts of loved ones.
- Colors: Blue, pink, white
- Symbolism: Remembrance, loyalty
- Seasonal Considerations: Forget-me-nots bloom in spring, so they might be more challenging to source during colder months. However, their symbolism of eternal remembrance makes them a meaningful choice for a funeral, regardless of season.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are known for their gentle fragrance and dainty petals, symbolizing departure and bittersweet memories. Their presence in a funeral arrangement can offer a sense of peace and farewell, ideal for someone who lived a kind and thoughtful life.
- Colors: Pink, purple, white, red
- Symbolism: Departure, gratitude
Heliotrope
Heliotropes are small clusters of delicate blooms that are often associated with eternal love and devotion. The purple varieties are especially fitting for a funeral service, as they symbolize deep remembrance and enduring loyalty.
- Colors: Purple, white, lavender
- Symbolism: Eternal love, devotion
- Historical Significance: In Greek mythology, heliotropes are associated with a tale of unrequited love, representing eternal devotion even after death.
Camellias
Camellias are often associated with love and admiration, making them a beautiful way to honor the deceased, especially when expressing feelings of admiration or gratitude for their life. They are a sign of deep respect and are particularly popular in Asian cultures.
- Colors: White, pink, red
- Symbolism: Admiration, gratitude
Freesia
Freesias have a delicate, sweet scent and symbolize innocence, friendship, and thoughtfulness. They can be an excellent addition to a funeral arrangement for someone who lived a pure, kind-hearted life or who touched the lives of many through their thoughtfulness.
- Colors: Yellow, white, pink, red, purple
- Symbolism: Friendship, thoughtfulness
Protea
Protea flowers are bold, exotic blooms that represent transformation and courage. Given their distinctive appearance and symbolism, they can be a beautiful tribute to someone who led a life of adventure, courage, or profound change.
- Colors: Pink, red, white
- Symbolism: Transformation, courage
- Seasonal Considerations: While proteas are available year-round, they thrive in warmer climates, making them a great option for tropical or warmer regions.
Bluebells
Bluebells are symbolic of humility and gratitude. These small, bell-shaped flowers are an uncommon choice but offer a lovely way to honor someone who led a humble life or who had a great impact on those around them through their quiet grace.
- Colors: Blue, violet
- Symbolism: Humility, gratitude
Additional Considerations for Choosing Funeral Flowers
Seasonal Availability and Cost
It’s important to consider the seasonality of some flowers when planning funeral arrangements. For example, sweet peas and forget-me-nots are seasonal, typically blooming in spring and summer, which may affect their availability or cost in colder months. If a specific flower holds special meaning but isn’t available, you might opt for a similar substitute that conveys the same sentiment.
Eco-Friendly Flower Choices
For families interested in sustainability, selecting eco-friendly funeral flowers is an option. Consider flowers that are grown locally or organically, which reduces the carbon footprint associated with shipping. You might also consider alternative arrangements like live plants or trees, which can be planted in memory of the deceased and continue to grow as a living tribute.
Pairing Uncommon Flowers with Traditional Choices
Uncommon flowers can be beautifully paired with more traditional blooms, such as lilies or roses, to create an arrangement that balances the familiar with the unique. For example, mixing gladiolus with white roses creates a striking display of both strength and purity, while adding forget-me-nots to a wreath of lilies brings an extra layer of remembrance to the arrangement.
Preserving and Repurposing Funeral Flowers
Another unique idea is to preserve or repurpose the flowers after the funeral. Dried flowers can be turned into keepsakes like pressed flower art or memorial jewelry, allowing the beauty of the funeral arrangements to be cherished long after the service. Alternatively, some families might choose to distribute seeds or bulbs of certain flowers, like forget-me-nots or sweet peas, to guests so they can plant them in memory of the deceased.
