Family members and friends will usually express their sympathy with a beautiful flower arrangement. Flowers for a funeral are a simple and meaningful gift that people can share to show their support.

The colour and type of flowers that you choose can express very particular sentiments for certain types of relationship with the deceased.

Because the passing of a loved one is a very emotional time, it’s important to understand the appropriate flower etiquette, so as not to upset or offend with your choices.

Roses

Roses are quite often the most popular flower used in funeral arrangements. One single rose that is found in a funeral bouquet is said to express enduring love for the deceased.

• White roses – Evoke purity, reverence, innocence and humility. Perfect for expressing sympathy, no matter what the relationship.
• Yellow roses – Symbolises strong ties and compassion. They are often given by friends of the deceased.
• Pink roses – Signify elegance, love, admiration and grace. This colour rose is typically used for women and children, due to its lightness in both colour and meaning.
• Red roses – Convey love, courage and respect. They are typically used by people who had an intimate, loving relationship with the deceased.
• Purple roses – Display dignity, success and respect. (Purple is also considered the colour of royalty) This is a common colour to use throughout a grandparent’s funeral, as a way to honour their life and legacy.

Carnations

The carnation is a symbolic choice of flower for any funeral arrangement. It is known for representing the bonds of affection.

• White carnations – Display faithfulness, innocence and purity. An appropriate choice for the funeral of a child.
• Red carnations – Similar to red roses, red carnations help to express strong, deep feelings of true love and yearning. An appropriate flower for a wife, husband or lover.
• Pink carnations – Convey remembrance and gratitude. This type of flower is often used to symbolise a mother’s or grandmother’s enduring love.

Tulips

The general meaning behind most tulips is pure and simple – perfect love. An appropriate flower for anyone who was very close to the deceased or their loved ones.

• White tulips – Often used to send a message of forgiveness, or to show that someone is worthy.
• Red tulips – Strongly associated with true love in its strongest sense. An appropriate flower for a wife or husband to gift to their spouse, or a parent to gift to a child.
• Yellow tulips – A common representation for cheerful thoughts and sunshine. Perfect for a funeral service that wants to focus on celebrating a life lived and the happy moments of a person’s life.

Lilies

Another popular type of flower used in funeral arrangements and lilies are often considered the go-to funeral flower and there’s significant meaning behind this strongly aromatic flower Lilies suggest that the soul of the deceased has returned to a peaceful state of innocence.

• White lilies – Convey purity and innocence. (This type of flower appears at funerals more than any other variety.) A white lily is usually an apt choice for someone who had lived a short life.
• Oriental lilies – Symbolise eternal life. Perfect for a religious funeral service that is commemorating the life lived.
• Stargazer lilies – Represent sympathy and love. A perfect option when choosing to send flowers to the immediate family of the deceased.