Flowers and Their Meanings for Funerals

Do you need to organise funeral flowers, but are unsure where to start? Our experts at Williamson’s My Florist Scotland are here to help. We’ve been in the flower trade in one form or another since 1935 and have assisted countless families in expressing their love and respect through beautiful funeral floral arrangements.

We firmly believe choosing flowers from the heart is always the right approach. Whether selecting blooms your loved one cherished, or those that evoke special memories, following your instinct creates the most meaningful tribute.

However, what if you want to know more, or be sure you’re sending a particular message? We have prepared this funeral flowers guide to help you better understand the meaning behind specific blooms. We hope it enables you to navigate the symbolic meanings behind various blooms appropriate for honouring and commemorating your loved ones during this sad occasion.

If you’re looking to send funeral flowers, you can rely on our experienced team of florists. We understand this is a difficult and sensitive time for you. We’re here to make the flower ordering and delivery process seamless so you can focus on what matters most, while having peace of mind that something beautiful will be sent on your behalf.

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Now you understand funeral flowers symbolism, find the best blooms to express your heartfelt sympathies.

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Flowers at Funerals in Different Cultures

Before we begin, it’s worth noting that these funeral flower insights are based on Western culture. The same flowers can have different meanings in different parts of the world or other cultures in Scotland and the UK.

Funeral Flower Meanings

Let’s consider funeral flowers symbolism for the most common blooms selected to farewell someone and pay your respects.

Funeral Roses

Roses are one of the most popular choices of flowers for any event, including a funeral. Their delicate, perfumed blooms are an elegant and graceful addition to any casket, funeral wreath or funeral posy. In fact, one very powerful floral arrangement is to place a single stem rose amongst a bunch of other flowers.

While roses can have many meanings, the colour will help narrow down the message you want to convey.

White roses for purity and innocence
Red roses for love and respect
Deep crimson roses for profound grief and sorrow
Pink roses for gratitude towards the person who has passed
Yellow roses for friendship and long-lasting ties

Lily Funeral Flowers

White lilies represent eternal life, and so they are especially popular for casket sprays. If you’re looking for a flower that connotes someone’s soul returning to a peaceful state, this classic and stunning bloom is the answer.

Carnation Funeral Flowers

Whilst they happen to be the flower for first year wedding anniversaries, carnations are nonetheless a particularly popular choice of funeral flower. It’s not surprising, given they have long been associated with love, gratitude and remembrance.

White carnations for innocence and purity
Pink carnations for enduring love, especially maternal
Deep red carnations for affection

Blue Hydrangea Funeral Flowers

Whilst hydrangeas have many symbolic meanings, the blue flower is typically associated with sympathy and sorrow. They are often the flower of choice for people farewelling and remembering good friends. Importantly, white hydrangeas are still a very popular choice at funerals.

Chrysanthemum Funeral Flowers

Chrysanthemums are traditional funeral flowers in many countries across Europe and East Asia. White or yellow chrysanthemums are a particularly popular choice associated with grief, the ephemerality of life

However, we talked earlier about cultures interpreting flowers and colours differently, and the yellow chrysanthemum is a fine case in point. This particular shade is strongly associated with Japan’s Imperial family, and connotes nobility and longevity.

Orchid Funeral Flowers

Incredibly exotic-looking, the orchid is typically associated with eternal love and a sharing of sympathy. An especially long-lasting flower, this is a popular choice for those who want to send something to family members that will retain its beauty for an extended period.

What Do White Flowers Mean at a Funeral?

Regardless of the flower species, white flowers are the overwhelming flower of choice for funeral arrangements. This shade tends to be associated with peace, honour, purity and innocence. Considered a very respectful colour choice, its subtlety means it lends itself well to all kinds of funeral ceremonies.

We hope this guide has helped you better understand funeral flower meanings. A reminder that we believe the best choice of bloom is whatever feels right for you, or reminds you of the person you’ve lost. For example, sunflowers are not necessarily a common choice of flower to express one’s condolences. However, if you strongly identify this bloom with the deceased, or you know it had special meaning to them, then it’s perfect.

If you have any questions or need to organise floral tributes for a grieving family or individual, please don’t hesitate to ask our florists.