While bright, cheerful flowers are appropriate for many joyous occasions, flowers sent in sympathy of for a funeral should be appropriately subdued. Eschewing brightness, however, does not require sacrificing beauty, as many popular flowers come in pastel and white varieties in addition to their jewel-toned companions. This isn’t to say, however, that if the departed favoured bright colours or a particular flower, these blooms would be unwelcome, but if you are unsure of the tastes they held, white and other muted tones are a safe and traditional option.
White is a popular colour for flowers sent to a funeral or in sympathy, and many beautiful flowers come in shades of white. Roses, tulips, mums, gerberas, lilies, and calla lilies are commonly used in the many different types of arrangements found at a funeral. Many stand alone well on their own, such as calla lilies, tulips, and roses, but combining them with other flowers can bring different textures and aspects to an arrangement. Combining white lilies and roses, or calla lilies and tulips, would make for varied and elegant arrangements.
Combining white flowers with other delicately shaded blooms, such as those in pinks, light purples, blues and peaches, is also a common sight at funerals. Freesias come in a variety of these shades, and make a beautiful bouquet on their own or as accent flowers in another piece, such as white and peach roses with lavender freesia. White accented with peach and blue is also common, such as white roses with peach gerbera and blue delphinium. If the departed was a mother, lilies and carnations in white or pink shades would be a lovely tribute, as these flowers are closely associated with motherhood.
In addition to bouquets and other vased arrangements, funerals also feature sprays, horizontal arrangements made for adorning the casket or mantles, and wreaths in a variety of shapes and sizes. Many flowers are well-suited to inclusion in sprays and wreaths, such as roses, mums, lilies, tulips, and gerbera. Pure white sprays and wreaths or these arrangements in other subdued hues would be appropriate for this occasion.
As was mentioned prior, there are other flowers outside of the traditional bereavement options that would be appropriate. If the departed was a longtime friend of yours, an arrangement of yellow roses would be fitting; if they traveled to the tropics or simply dreamed of it, orchids would be another suitable tribute.
© Flowers Online.org.uk 2007.
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