Choosing Sympathy Flowers Based on Color Meaning
Choosing what type of sympathy flowers to give to someone who lost a loved one can be a difficult decision.
What do you choose? Do you want to send your condolences with flowers that are bright and cheerful, or would it be better to send something more subdued like white lilies? It’s important to know what the color of the flower means before sending them. For example, purple irises signify regret and sympathy for death while red carnations represent love and respect in times of sorrow. The meaning behind colors will help guide your decision when choosing which type of flower arrangement to order for someone who has lost a loved one.
What Are Sympathy Flowers?
Sympathy flowers are frequently offered at funerals to show the grieving that they are not alone in their grief and loss. These flowers are typically used to convey support, with phrases such as “there’s no way I can know how you feel, but if it helps some, this tiny gesture may provide some consolation.”
Mums, carnations, lilies, and even blooming fruit trees are popular choices for sympathy flowers. They’re generally put on top of or near the departed person after they’ve passed, so those who don’t have time for more elaborate arrangements can still show condolences by giving these sympathy flowers in different colors.
The Meaning of Colors
Sympathy flowers come in a variety of colors, each with its own meaning. Black represents mourning, white represents purity or innocence, yellow represents sympathy with the unexpected death of someone close to you, such as accidental death, lavender represents feelings between friends who care deeply about the sender’s sorrows and pain from their losses, and purple conveys deep respect, which may be out reverence or regret over someone’s passing away.
This can also represent love lost due to distance, such as when individuals are unable to see loved ones on time owing to geographical distance but still desire peace while thinking of them during this tough time. Finally, blue represents hope, which we all need in these trying times!
Pale colors, such as white and cream (or the cleanest possible version of those sympathy flower colors), imply purity. They also suggest delicate tranquility or peace in response to grief. The hue red is a color that evokes strong emotions like anger, powerlessness, and even love at times. It’s not surprising to see this on many sympathy arrangements for funerals or other somber occasions because mourners often need all they can get from an external source during these difficult periods of mourning, but while there are no set rules about which flowers should be used when sending condolences with any given color scheme in mind most florists will have their own preferences based on what would best suit your specific needs.
Types of Sympathy Flowers
Many types of sympathy flowers in different colors exist. They can range from traditional funeral arrangements to something as simple and thoughtful as a single rose in remembrance or even an arrangement with daisies, which is often seen by the deceased’s bedside during their final days on earth. The most popular type though seems to be cut flower bouquets for burial services because they represent beauty while also being symbolic reminders of life continuing after death.
Different Flowers and Their Meanings
When choosing sympathy flowers, you may be focusing on which are the prettiest ones, but many traditional funeral flowers have significant meanings attached that you should be aware of. Here are some to consider:
Lilies: With their stark, waxy white petals and strong aroma, lilies have long been the go-to funeral flowers that contain significant meaning. Lilies symbolize the spiritual journey of the departed and that their soul has returned to a state of grace and peace.
Roses: Roses are a wonderful choice for sympathy flowers because not only is their scent lovely, but each color offers a different meaning. For instance, white roses naturally symbolize purity and spirituality whereas deep red roses symbolize love and grief. Pink roses are typically used to express gratitude while yellow roses symbolize a special bond of friendship. Consider mixing roses in with other flowers when ordering a casket or standing sprays.
Orchids: What a beautiful flower and a gorgeous meaning of “I will always love you.” If you want to send something special to the family’s home after the services, consider sending a whole orchid plant that will last much longer than orchids cut for an arrangement.
Carnations: Have you ever wondered why so many sympathy flowers contain pink carnations? It may be because for Catholics and other Christian religions, pink carnations are believed to be created from Mary’s tears. Whether that is your personal belief or not, carnations are simple, delicate flowers with a lovely sweet scent and just make people happy.
Hydrangeas: It’s hard to see a Hydrangea and not smile – that is the effect they have on most people – and that is the effect you are trying to elicit with your sympathy flowers. While the meaning of this flower is a bit ambiguous, many believe they symbolize true and deep heartfelt emotions. As with orchids, the whole plant versions will always last longer than the cut arrangement.
Express Your Sympathy with Flower Arrangements
Sympathy flower arrangements and bouquets are thoughtful gestures that say how much you care with words. There’s nothing more comforting than the beauty of flowers to lift someone’s spirits, so giving sympathy flowers can be an important part of showing your condolences during this difficult time for them. Sympathy flower arrangements are made up of typical pastel colors like pink or lavender, while bouquets may include one type mixed with brighter shades such as yellow or orange in order to create contrast among the blooms
It can be difficult when you need words during times where there seems nothing appropriate enough to say, but sympathy flowers offer a wonderful opportunity for people across all walks of life. They’re able to express their discomfort alongside those mourning without fear of it being rejected because what else could any person want other than someone willing to help?
by Jenna Bruce