From sympathy flowers that friends send to the grieving family as an expression of their support, to the arrangements used in the funeral service itself, flowers have always played an important role when someone passes away. Not only are flowers beautiful and comforting, but each type (as well as color) has its own meaning. To learn more about these meanings and the best tips for sending them, keep reading as directors from funeral homes in Thousand Oaks, CA share this information.

Sympathy Flowers vs Funeral Flowers

When it comes to funerals, flowers are used in two separate ways. These two ways are sympathy flowers or funeral flowers. While they may sound the same, these arrangements are very different.

Sympathy flower arrangements are typically smaller than funeral flowers and are most often delivered to the grieving family’s home. These are sent by friends and others who wish to offer their support and condolences to the family in this difficult time.

Funeral flower arrangements are typically larger and sent directly to the funeral home or church for use in the service. These arrangements are normally sent by family and very close family friends.

Most Common Type of Flowers

With flowers carrying different meanings, there are some flowers you will commonly see used in funeral and sympathy flower arrangements. These include:

• Lilies- These elegant flowers represent grace, peace, innocence, and dignity

• Daises- Daises are a nice flower to place on a gravesite because they can often mean a loving “goodbye”. These flowers are also considered youthful so they are mostly used for younger loved ones who have passed

• Irises- Being traced back into Greek mythology, Irises represent faith, hope, and valor.

• Orchids- These unique flowers are a sign of love and respect and as well as deep adoration of the loved one.

• Roses-Being the most popular choice for funeral flowers, roses can represent love, strength, and purity

Color Meanings of Flowers

Along with their type, flowers can carry meanings based on their color as well. Some examples of this are:

• Red- Expresses love, beauty, and strength

• White- Represents honesty, purity, hope, peace, and innocence

• Pink- Shows sympathy and kindness

• Purple- A regal color that represents dignity and respect

• Blue- Expresses sympathy and mourning

• Yellow- Represents a celebration of life and happy memories

Tips for Sending Flowers

When sending flowers, there are a few things you can do to ensure the family receives the best flowers possible. First, if available, choose local flowers as they are acclimated to the climate and will be able to retain their freshness longer.

Next, understand that in some cultures, flower types or their colors may represent something different. For example, in one culture a lily may express peace, yet in another, it may be a more romantic flower. Check with the florist or another professional before sending.

Finally, make sure you are using a trusted florist or online company by reading some of their past reviews and looking at their past work. You want to ensure the flowers you send are good quality and will arrive on time.

If you have any further questions about flowers being delivered to funeral homes in Thousand Oaks, CA, or the grieving family’s home, let us know as we are always here to help.