Traditionally, on the grave of the deceased, in addition to wreaths, live flowers are also placed. In the ritual symbolism has its own rules that must be adhered to, so choosing flowers for the funeral, you need to know what will be appropriate, what shades they should be.

Symbolism of funeral flowers

Laying fresh flowers on the grave, we thereby express a special attitude to the deceased. The right choice of flowers allows us to express sorrow and worthily lead a person to the last journey.

Special attention when choosing should be paid not only to the type of flowers, but also to their colour. In popular tradition, there are certain flowers that best convey the pain of loss.

The most appropriate flowers are:

• irises symbolise faith and hope;
• gladioli signify respect;
• chrysanthemums and carnations are the most common flowers for funerals;
• lilies and violets speak of tenderness, innocence and purity, appropriate for women and young people.

A heart-shaped wreath of fresh flowers is often ordered for a loved one to convey their sincere love and devotion.

Are all flowers appropriate for a funeral

A bouquet of their favourite flowers can be chosen for a loved one. Relatives are more likely to choose an odd number of roses or flowers in a basket. Friends and acquaintances, depending on the season, choose lilies, chrysanthemums or carnations. For a bouquet, it is better to choose bouquets that contain no more than three types of flowers, although most often monobouquets are purchased for funerals.

However, there are rules about which bouquets are not desirable to bring to a funeral:

• funeral flowers should not be brightly coloured;
• brightly coloured ribbons should not be used for decoration;
• inappropriate large, lush and voluminous bouquets;
• you should not choose round-shaped compositions;
• flowers should not have thorns or prickles.

In our tradition, mourning floristry should have a paired number of flowers. If you are in doubt about which bouquet is better to choose for the funeral, seek advice from a florist, who will always give professional advice and help with the choice of the necessary flowers and their shades.