Funerals are very mournful occasions, and they symbolise the care the survivors have for the life bygone. A lot of planning is required to organise a funeral service for our departed loved ones. One of the many tasks involves arranging funeral flowers for the wake or memorial service. Due to the sensitive nature of the occasion, utmost care needs to be taken to choose the appropriate flowers.

Funeral flowers tend to reflect the personality of the deceased. Sometimes they are symbolic of the relationship that existed between the survivor who is arranging the funeral service and the deceased. Through the flowers they choose, survivors can also show their love and respect for the dead person.

What type of flower should be chosen?

• 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.

What is the right colour to choose?

• Flowers can have a great effect on the moods of people. The mere presence of flowers can lift the spirits of a gloomy person. The colour of funeral flowers varies with individual preferences. It ranges from darker shades like purple to brighter ones like yellow. More often than not, we see funeral flowers in soft, pastel, and muted hues, rather than in loud and glaring tones.

• The colour of funeral flowers also depends on the venue of the funeral service. In a funeral home with collared halls, a large white wreath might look quite breathtaking. But this may not be the case if it is placed in a white church or a funeral home. Adding a dash of colour might provide some respite from the already gloomy surroundings.

What is the appropriate flower arrangement to choose?

• Funeral flower arrangements can be both formal and informal. Formal floral arrangements include wreaths and crosses. While flower covered crosses are appropriate for Christian funeral ser        vices, 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, headstone flowers, casket lid floral arrangements, sprays, and even a bunch of floral sticks tied with a ribbon.

Many a times, sprays are placed over the deceased’s casket. Crosses, bouquets, and wreaths are generally used as displays. These are arranged around the room or hall in which the funeral service takes place. Flowers have the ability to make the ambience soothing and lighten the mood of the mourners.

Custom-made funeral flower arrangements have also become increasingly popular in recent times. There are florists who specialise in creating arrangements that reflect the personality of the deceased. Different patterns, designs, and styles can be juxtaposed to create a unique funeral flower arrangement which will be a real tribute to the deceased. Funeral flowers are perhaps the most elegant and simple way to pay our respects to the departed soul.