Suitable Funeral and Sympathy Flowers

Gloria Sims

Guides

April 3, 2025

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Expressing sympathy is complex and can be challenging, and one of the most appropriate ways to do this is with flowers. Flowers play a significant purpose in funeral ceremonies and are a symbol of love, respect, and remembrance. Here, we’ll outline all the most suitable funeral and sympathy flowers. We’ll outline the meaning of the various flowers for funerals and what are the appropriate floral arrangements you can send as an act of comfort.

Most Appropriate Flowers for Funeral

Let’s talk about the most suitable flowers for funerals. There are plenty of cultural considerations to be aware of when selecting flowers to express sentimental and sympathy feelings. You should also recognize the meanings of the different blooms and prefer to choose the most suitable condolence flowers.

Carnations

The carnations have versatile meanings depending on their colors. These ruffled petals are widely available and appreciated by many, which is why these are some of the most suitable flowers for funerals. Depending on their colors, you can express different messages:

• White carnations – purity and innocence
• Yellow carnations – hope and renewal
• Red carnations – admiration, respect, and love
• Pink carnations – remembrance and gratitude

Lilies

The lily is often chosen for funeral flower arrangements as this bloom represents peace, purity, and sympathy. These delicate-looking blooms are a symbol of renewed innocence and new beginnings. In the Christian religion, the lily expresses the idea that the soul of the deceased has gone to its Maker, receiving renewed innocence. There are different colors of lilies, and each has its special meaning:

• White lilies – peace and purity
• Stargazer lilies – eternal life
• Pink lilies – innocence and peace

Chrysanthemums

The chrysanthemum, or mums, is one of the most versatile blooms you can find, as these come in many variations. These are among the most suitable funeral flowers as they are linked to different funeral traditions across various cultures. In many Asian cultures, the chrysanthemums symbolize grief, European cultures link these with death, and in the US, these blooms symbolize honoring the life of the departed. There are different chrysanthemum colors, and each brings a different meaning:

• White chrysanthemums – purity and innocence
• Pink chrysanthemum – grace and gentleness 
• Red chrysanthemum – a celebration of love and life

Roses

The red rose may be a universal symbol of love, but this bloom is also a suitable flower for sympathy and funerals. The meanings of the roses change with their colors, but these elegant blooms convey strong feelings and emotions, making the rose quite suitable for sympathy flowers. Depending on your relationship with the departed, you can select differently colored roses for funeral floral arrangements:

Red roses – love, respect, and courage

• White roses – innocence, purity, and remembrance
• Pink roses – grace and admiration
• Dark pink/purple roses – thankfulness
• Yellow roses – friendship and closeness
• Black roses – sadness, grief, and mourning 

Orchid

The orchid is a delicate bloom that lasts a very long time, which is why this is often a popular choice for expressing eternal love and reverence. However, there are other meanings related to orchid blooms, and many people opt for orchid blooms in funeral and sympathy arrangements. There are plenty of various orchid varieties and colors, and these can be combined with other flowers for personalized condolence arrangements:

• White orchids – purity and innocence
• Purple orchids – dignity and admiration
• Pink orchids – eternal love
• Yellow orchids – enduring love and strength 

Gladiolus

The gladiolus is a popular cut flower, and it is often used for funeral and sympathy arrangements as it symbolizes strength and resilience. The gladioli have long stalks with flowers arranged upwards on the stalk; the gladioli flowers bloom at intervals and last a long time. These add a striking visual appeal to any floral arrangement. Depending on their colors, the gladiolus blooms have different significance:

• White gladioli – purity and innocence
• Pink gladioli – grace and elegance
• Yellow gladioli – long-lasting love and friendship

Forget-Me-Not

As the name states, the forget-me-not is a flower that symbolizes remembrance and true love. The flower comes with delicate-looking blue blooms that are a meaningful choice to add to a funeral arrangement. They can thrive in different settings, and you can add them to a memorial flower arrangement to express the sentiment of honoring and not forgetting the departed. 

Funeral Flower Colors

We touched upon the meanings of the different colored flowers above, where we listed the most suitable flowers for funerals and sympathy arrangements. However you can also include other blooms in funeral arrangements, but you should know what the most adequate funeral flower colors are:

Funeral Flower Arrangements

Now that you know which the most adequate funeral flowers are, we should also talk about the types of flower arrangements that are suitable for funerals and sympathy occasions:

• Casket Bouquet – this is the flower arrangement that is placed on the casket of the deceased, and it is often made up of red flowers, like red roses, red carnations, or red gerberas, as it symbolizes familial love and elegance. The immediate family chooses these.
• Standing Spray – the standing spray is a unique funeral arrangement that is positioned on a stand or a tripod and is placed around the casket of the deceased. These are best suited for the memorial service and are often chosen by the immediate family.
• Funeral Wreath – the funeral wreath is a traditional floral arrangement where the flowers are arranged in a circle that symbolizes eternal life and rebirth. These are usually placed around the casket on stands or easels and often carry a few words of condolences. Close friends and family send them. 
• Funeral Basket – the funeral basket is a versatile option as the basket can be arranged around the casket and can be easily moved between events like the memorial service and the gravesite.
• Funeral Cross – like the standing sprays, the funeral cross is a cross-shaped funeral floral arrangement that is often used in Christian funerals. Similar to the funeral cross, one can also find heart-shaped arrangements that are appropriate for Western funerals.
• Living Plants – living plants like the peace lily or potted orchids will last a long time, and these are suitable choices for the home of the family of the departed. Other popular living plants you can consider for this occasion are potted arrangements, calla lilies, dish gardens, and succulents.

Flower Symbolism & Culture

Different cultures have specific flowers related to death and funerals. These vary greatly, and we explain some of these; for more information, you should consult the local florist or funeral director where you are to send flowers, as in some cases, the family may have stated other stipulations:

• Western cultures – white flowers are preferred as these symbolize peace and purity.
• Mexico – marigolds symbolize the link between the living and the departed.
• Hawaii – hibiscus blooms are often used during funeral ceremonies.
• Hindi – garlands of marigolds are used in Hindi funerals.
• China – white and yellow chrysanthemums symbolize death and sadness.
• Japan – white lilies and white lotus flowers are common funeral flowers.
• Thailand – flowers made from wood shavings are preferred for funerals.
• Islamic cultures – flowers are not used at Muslim funerals, as the focus is on simplicity.
• Jewish culture – flowers are not a part of Jewish funerals, and the more appropriate thing is to send a condolence item to the home of the grieving family, like a fruit basket or a meat platter.

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