Best flowers for bereavement

Best flowers for bereavement? What do you choose? 

When words feel insufficient, flowers offer a silent, heartfelt way to express sympathy, honour a life, and provide comfort to people and unless you or your recipient suffer from hay fever, an excellent choice of bereavement gift.

It is the easiest option to offer, but if you want to do something slightly different,  a little history or a beautiful quote about your flower choice would elevate your gift.

And why not also add card, tag  and wrapping paper that has a connection to your choice of bereavement bouquet.

You can pretty much get anything made these days either on a platform like Etsy or make your own designs in Canva.

And if you know a forward thinking florist, they might provide it for you.

Each flower type carries a unique symbolism, drawn from history, culture, and nature.

Below are twelve of the most meaningful flowers for bereavement, each with its own simple message of love, remembrance, and peace.

The best flowers for bereavement bunches & bouquets

1. Lily

The lily is one of the most commonly associated flowers with funerals and memorials, symbolising the restored innocence of the soul after death.

Its elegant white petals evoke purity, peace, and the spiritual journey beyond life.

• Symbolism: Purity, peace, the soul’s return to innocence
• Tradition: In Christian customs, white lilies are often present at funeral services

"The lily is the purest of flowers; a message from heaven carried on petals."

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2. Roses

Roses, depending on their colour, carry nuanced meanings. White roses represent reverence and innocence, red symbolises deep love and respect, while pink conveys admiration and grace.

• Symbolism: Love, honour, remembrance
• Historical use: Ancient Romans laid roses on the graves of loved ones

"The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart."

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3. Carnations

Carnations are long-lasting and widely used in sympathy arrangements. White carnations symbolise pure love and innocence, while pink ones are traditionally said to be created from the Virgin Mary's tears, representing eternal remembrance.

• Symbolism: Devotion, remembrance, eternal love
• Cultural significance: Widely used in religious and state memorial services

"In every carnation, a whisper of love lingers on."

4. Chrysanthemum

In many European and Asian cultures, chrysanthemums are deeply connected to death and mourning. In Japan, they are symbolic of grief but also of rebirth and honour.

• Symbolism: Grief, honour, longevity
• Cultural note: In many countries (e.g. France, Italy), chrysanthemums are exclusively used for funerals

"Chrysanthemums bloom where memories never fade."

5. Gladioli

With their tall, striking stems, gladioli convey strength of character and moral integrity. They are often used in sympathy arrangements to honour someone who lived with bravery and conviction.

• Symbolism: Strength, remembrance, integrity
• Historical note: Named after the Latin word "gladius" (sword), symbolising heroism

"Gladiolus: the flower that stands tall for those we’ll never forget."

6. Orchids

Orchids are especially suitable for bereavement, representing sympathy and admiration.

• Symbolism: Everlasting love, delicate grace
• Cultural history: Orchids have been cultivated for centuries and given as rare, valuable gifts

"The orchid blooms where silence is most eloquent."

7. Forget-me-nots

True to its name, the forget-me-not is a powerful symbol of remembrance. Its small blue blossoms represent loyalty, enduring memory, and the gentle sorrow of missing someone dearly.

• Symbolism: Memory, lasting love, loyalty
• Folklore: In medieval times, it was believed that wearers would never be forgotten by loved ones

"Forget-me-nots speak the language of remembrance with every tiny bloom."

8. Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are often given to express heartfelt emotion and gratitude.

Though less traditional, they are increasingly used in sympathy bouquets for their gentle fullness and the feeling of comfort they bring.

• Symbolism: Gratitude, understanding, heartfelt emotion
• Cultural note: In Japan, hydrangeas are associated with apology and heartfelt feeling

"A cluster of hydrangeas holds the quiet ache of goodbye."

9. Peonies

Their gentle beauty brings a soothing energy, offering comfort in times of sorrow.

• Symbolism: Healing, compassion, honour
• Cultural history: In Chinese tradition, peonies represent richness of spirit and grace

My favourite flower and one of the best flowers for bereavement, they are big, blousey and look stunning.

"Peonies unfold with grace, like memories softening grief."

10. Violets

Delicate and timeless, violets are small woodland flowers often seen in hanging baskets and pots, I have never seen them in bunches because they are so small.

Their soft purple hues and heart-shaped petals have made them a gentle favourite throughout history, especially in gardens and floral arrangements with a vintage or Victorian influence.

Though modest in size, violets evoke deep emotion and meaning, making them a touching choice for bereavement.

• Symbolism: Violets represent modesty, faithfulness, everlasting love, and remembrance.
• Cultural Note: In the Victorian era, violets were commonly used in mourning rituals and worn as a tribute to lost loved ones. They remain a symbol of remembrance in many cultures today.

"Violets whisper the promise that love outlasts life."

11. Iris

With its bold petals and striking form, the iris is a flower of strength and spiritual depth.

Often found in shades of purple, blue, and white, irises have long been admired for their regal appearance and uplifting presence.

Their name comes from the Greek word for rainbow, reflecting their wide range of colours and their role as messengers of hope and transition.

• Symbolism: The iris symbolises faith, hope, wisdom, and valour.
• Cultural Note: In both European and American traditions, the iris is a classic funeral flower. It is often included in sympathy arrangements to symbolise the soul’s journey from this world to the next.

"The iris bridges the path between earth and heaven."