Discover how to pick floral flowers for funerals that convey the right message and bring comfort during a time of loss.
Selecting the right funeral flowers can be a meaningful way to express sympathy and honour a loved one. Flowers carry deep symbolism, offering comfort to grieving families and friends while paying tribute to the person who has passed.
Choosing the appropriate sympathy flowers, arrangements, and colours shows your support in a thoughtful and respectful way, making them an essential part of any memorial or funeral service.
Funeral flower arrangements are a deeply personal decision that should be guided by respect, tradition and thoughtfulness. If you are looking for ideas for funeral flowers, these tips will be of help.
Factors to consider when choosing funeral flowers
- Relationship to the deceased:
If you're a close family member, you may send larger funeral flower arrangements such as standing sprays, casket sprays, or wreaths. If you’re a friend or extended family, you might prefer to send a smaller bouquet, basket, or vase arrangement. - Cultural or religious customs:
Some cultures have specific traditions regarding sympathy flowers. In some Asian cultures, for example, white is the preferred colour for mourning. Jewish funerals typically do not involve flowers, while Christian, Buddhist, or other religious services may welcome them. This is important to keep in mind in a culturally diverse city like Montreal, full of traditions.
- Symbolism of flowers:
The type of flowers and colours you choose can convey different emotions and messages. Lilies, for instance, are a symbol of peace and purity, often associated with funerals. Roses can express love, respect, or sorrow depending on their colour. White generally symbolizes reverence, while bright colours might signify a celebration of life. - The family's wishes:
Always check if the family has specific requests. Some families ask for donations instead of funeral flowers or have a preference for a certain type of floral arrangement. Respecting personal wishes is always a considerate gesture. - Type of funeral being held: The funeral flower arrangement you should ideally reflect the style of funeral being held. If a formal funeral service is being held, we recommend a traditional funeral flower arrangement. For more unique or low-key life celebration held at home, we feel a smaller or more personalized arrangement might be more appropriate.
- The deceased’s personality:
If you know the deceased well, consider their personality or their favourite flowers. For a more personal touch, you can ask the florist to add their favourite blooms or colours to the funeral arrangement as a meaningful tribute. - Type of arrangement:
Our funeral flower arrangements range from traditional standing sprays, which are typically displayed near the casket, to sympathy bouquets or potted plants that the deceased’s family can take home. We can also prepare wreaths, cross-shaped arrangements, or even floral tributes shaped like hearts or other meaningful symbols that you feel are appropriate.
Best colours for funeral flowers
The colour of funeral flowers can carry significant meaning. Here are some popular choices for floral flowers for funeral and their symbolism:
Red Funeral Flowers: Red flowers, especially roses, convey deep love and respect. While they symbolize strong emotions, they are also often chosen to honour a close relationship with the deceased.
Pink Funeral Flowers: Pink is often associated with grace, femininity, and admiration. Soft pink flowers can bring a gentle warmth to funeral flowers and wreaths.
Yellow: Yellow flowers, such as roses or carnations, are less traditional for sympathy flowers, but can symbolize friendship, hope, or a celebration of life. They may be more appropriate for a funeral service that focuses on uplifting the spirits of attendees.love and respect. While they symbolize strong emotions, they are also often chosen to honour a close relationship with the deceased.
Purple: Purple flowers represent dignity, respect, and royalty, and can be a thoughtful choice for commemorating someone who held a place of honour in your life.
Blue: Blue flowers, like delphiniums or hydrangeas, are often associated with peace and tranquility. They can symbolize a calm and comforting farewell. Sometimes, a blend of these colours can provide a well-rounded and meaningful tribute.
Sometimes, a blend of these colours can provide a well-rounded and meaningful tribute.
Curious to know more? Learn all about the most common varieties of flowers: What they symbolize, the story behind their common names, native geographical location and more in our Flower Reference Guide.
How to dry funeral flowers to preserve your floral arrangements
Preserving funeral flowers can be a touching way to keep the memory of a loved one alive. Drying funeral flowers allows you to cherish the arrangement long after the service. Here are four popular methods you can use for drying sympathy flowers:
- Air drying: The simplest method is to tie the stems of the flowers together and hang them upside down in a cool, dry place with good airflow away from direct sunlight. This process can take 1-2 weeks, depending on the type of flower.
- Pressing: Pressing flowers is a great option if you want to create a keepsake like framed flowers. Place the flowers between two pieces of parchment paper and place them in a heavy book or use a flower press. After a few weeks, the flowers will be flat and dry, perfect for creating a decorative memento.
- Silica gel: A faster method involves using silica gel, available at craft stores. Cover the flowers in a container with silica gel and seal it. The gel absorbs moisture from the petals, preserving the colour and shape in about a week.
- Microwave drying: For an even quicker option, microwave your flowers along with a desiccant like silica gel. Place the flowers in a microwave-safe container with the desiccant and heat for a few minutes, checking frequently until they are dry.
Discover other ways to preserve fresh cut flowers with BBC Maestro.
Get help choosing funeral flowers and wreaths
The team at Westmount Florist understands the importance of selecting the right sympathy flowers for such a significant moment. Our team is here to help you create beautiful, personalized funeral flowers that convey the right message. Whether you want something traditional or more personalized, we can help design a tribute that honours your loved one’s life with care and respect.
