How to Select Flowers
During solemn occasions, family and friends may want to show the love and caring they had for the departed with flowers. So how does someone select flowers for a funeral? The selection should, of course, reflect the occasion, but selection can also depend on a number of things.
Flowers at a funeral can reflect the personality of the deceased, or can be symbolic of the relationship that existed between the deceased and the person sending the flowers; friendship, special relationship, etc. Before you begin to evaluate your choices, call the funeral home and ask about the arrangements made. Many times the deceased has done some funeral pre-planning and has already selected colors or themes or even specific funeral services. One quick phone call can help you plan what flowers to select.
What type of flower should you choose?
Below is a list of flowers that are customary for a funeral:
• Rose
• Carnation
• Lily
• Gerbera Daisy
• Aster
• Delphinium
• Gladiolus
• Chrysanthemum
While roses and carnations are considered classic and traditional, a more contemporary funeral flower arrangement combines two or more types of flowers to create a unique and beautiful style.
Is there a “right” color?
Since funerals are usually somber occasions, funeral flowers are typically in soft, pastel, and muted hues, rather than in loud and glaring tones. However, the color of the flowers can vary with individual preferences, so they can range from darker shades like purple to brighter ones like yellow.
You’ll also want to consider the venue of the funeral service. In a funeral home with dark tones, a large white wreath might look breathtaking. But it may not look as good if the same wreath is placed in a white church or a funeral home. In this case, adding some color with the flowers might provide some respite from the already gloomy surroundings.
What is the appropriate flower arrangement to choose?
Funeral flower arrangements can be either formal or informal.
Formal floral arrangements include wreaths and crosses. Flower-covered crosses are appropriate usually for Christian funeral services, and wreaths can be used in almost all kinds of funerals.
Informal flower arrangements for funeral services can include baskets, cut flowers, potted plants, posies, pedestal arrangements, bouquets, planters, and sprays.
A question that sometimes bothers people is: “should I send flowers to a cremation?”. Of course! Cremations usually have memorial services, so the attendees will appreciate your thoughtful gift of flowers.
Final thoughts
No matter what you choose, what’s important is that you select something that reflects your feelings toward the deceased because expressing your caring is always appreciated by the family and friends. If you’re having trouble deciding, contact the funeral director. He or she will always be happy to describe the surroundings of the memorial and make suggestions for flowers.