All About the Types of Celebration of Life and Funeral Flower Arrangements
Milou and Olin Photography
When faced with the mounting tasks on your to-do list for a celebration of life, celebration of life or funeral flower decisions can add to the overwhelm. You want to be sure that your loved one is represented in the flower choices, that the flowers have meaning, and that you cover your bases when it comes to placing them where they should be, but ALL of that can equal more stress. This guide should help you cover the types of arrangements you can have, where to place them, how to handle guest floral arrangements, and the meanings behind popular funeral flowers.
If we haven’t met yet, I’m Lindsey Nickel. Born and raised in the East Bay, I’m a wedding planner turned celebration of life planner based in Napa, California. I’ve planned 100+ events since 2010 and I specialize in celebrations of life (and Napa weddings). I help grieving families throughout the San Francisco Bay Area plan meaningful celebrations of life, without feeling even more stressed out. Suddenly, things you didn’t think you cared about become important. That’s where an event planner comes in to provide you with options, help you make decisions efficiently, and manage the event planning.
Types of Celebration of Life and Funeral Flower Arrangements
If you have been to a celebration of life, memorial, or funeral, you will have seen a wide variety of arrangements that can be had, but we will go over some of the most popular ones.
Floral Baskets and Plants for Celebrations of Life
These are the most common floral arrangements that you will see at a celebration of life are arrangements that sit on a table. They can be in baskets, vases, or ceramic containers and are usually found throughout the event space. You will see them on tables as centerpieces, welcome tables, buffet tables, and even around the podium to add a touch of elegance.
This is also the most common arrangement type for guests to bring or have delivered to the event space or the family's home. The best part is that they come in several sizes to suit any budget or style.
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Standing Sprays
Standing sprays are most common at funerals and memorials. It’s unusual to see them at celebrations of life because they feel like a funeral.
You can find standing sprays, usually, at the front of the event space, and are designed to be displayed on easels so they are viewed only from the front. These floral arrangements are quite large and are statement-making so they are most commonly bought by family members (or the person arranging the celebration of life or funeral). These should be sent to the event space or brought by your florist to the event itself so that they arrive in perfect condition as the size is prone to damage before the event.
Alternatives to a standing spray for a celebration of life
A wonderful alternative to a standing spray for a celebration of life is a large floral arrangement that sits on the floor. This can be placed at the entrance, next to the guestbook table or next to the bar.
Another beautiful option is to have a welcome sign at the entrance to the event with a low floral arrangement under the sign. This is a thoughtful way to welcome guests to the celebration of life and set the tone for the event.
Celebration of Life and Funeral Wreaths, Crosses, and Hearts
These are similar to the size of the standing sprays and will also be found at the front of the space or near a doorway as they are usually on easels and are to be viewed only from the front. Due to the size, these are also to be sent to the event space or brought by your florist to the event itself so that they arrive in perfect condition as the size is prone to damage before the event. Did you know that the meaning behind a wreath, cross, and heart differs?
A wreath represents eternal life, a cross represents undying faith, and a heart represents ever-lasting love. If the honoree wasn’t religious, sending a cross is probably not the best idea and can be seen as poor taste, so remember to match your arrangement to your loved one.
Remember that you can also be playful with the design of your florals! If the honoree loved a particular sports team, then you can use that team's colors in your arrangement, or you can have an arrangement made to fit that team's logo. If they had a passion or hobby that they adored, incorporate it into the floral design so that they are fully represented throughout the celebration of life.
When NOT to Include Flowers
Flowers are gorgeous and can bring so much to an event but there are times when they may not be appropriate. There are some cultures and religions that do not want or traditionally don’t receive flowers during times of mourning.
These can include the Jewish culture which sees flowers as celebratory and therefore they can disrupt the mourning process. In the Islamic faith, it is not customary to bring flowers or gifts to a Muslim funeral but you can send flowers during the 40-day mourning period after the burial. In the Hindi religion, it is not customary to bring flowers but in a Buddhist ceremony, white flowers are the traditional floral color of choice as it represents mourning (do not bring red as it is considered very bad taste).
If you are unsure about whether flowers are appropriate, just ask the host of the celebration of life or funeral and they will let you know.
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Where Do I Put Celebration of Life and Funeral Flowers at the Event?
If you are including any tables at your event, then centerpieces or an arrangement will be needed. These tables can include the welcome table, a bar, and/or a buffet or snack table.
The key thing with centerpieces is that you want them to be on a medium to small scale so that if people are sitting and eating, they can still have conversations across the table without having to shift the arrangement or remove it altogether.
When it comes to the welcome table, you should have an arrangement here as well. This sets the tone for the event so this can be a simple floral basket of any size or it can be a standing spray or wreath that is set up on an easel to the side of the table. Whatever you decide, make sure it matches the feel of the event.
If you have a welcome sign, it is a good idea to include some flowers on it as well. This is not mandatory but a nice touch that really levels up the event.
Another spot that is in need of some floral design is at the base of the podium where people will be speaking. This is often overlooked but is the spot where most attendees’ attention will be throughout the event so including a medium to large flower basket to fill the space always looks amazing and if photos are being taken, makes each picture look first-class.
List of where to put flowers for a celebration of life
Welcome table ( with the guest book, photos and memorabilia)
Centerpieces for guest tables tables
Flowers for hi cocktail tables
Base of Podium
Bar
Buffet / food stations
Water station
Welcome Sign
Bathrooms
You should create a budget for your celebration of life or funeral flowers so that you have a number in mind when making your floral decisions. In this area, it is easy to go as big or as purposeful as needed to fit any budget while still looking heartfelt.
As a Guest, Should I Send Flowers and Where Do I Send Them?
As a guest at a celebration of life or funeral, it is first important to find out if flowers are wanted or if they have an “in lieu of flowers” request. You can look at your invitation which should have specifics if they are requesting something other than flowers, like a donation to a specific charity, but if it doesn’t say then giving the host a call will get your question answered. It is during this call that you can also inquire if specific colors are being honored or if the honoree has a favorite flower that you can include.
Of course, it is also important to note if there are any cultural or religious exemptions for not sending flowers (see above for a snapshot) that would need to be adhered to. Again, a quick glance at the invitation or call to the host will get the answers needed.
Where to Send Celebration of Life or Funeral Flowers
This depends on how well you know the family of the honoree and if you have the phone number to contact the host of the event.
If you are on personal terms with the family then you can send flowers directly to them, especially if the celebration of life is happening at one of their homes. It is important to make sure that they are accepting flowers so give them a call or text to find out before making your flower order.
If you knew the honoree but not the family then sending them to the place where the event will be happening (if not at a family member's home) is the best practice. If the event is at a family member’s home then reach out to the host (or however you got the invite) and get the address so that they can be delivered there. You can also bring it with you if the event is at a family member’s home but make sure it is still looking its best by the time you get there.
If you were close to the bereaved but not so much the honoree, then it may be best if you send the bereaved some flowers in the days after the celebration of life to remind them that you are thinking of them during this difficult time. This is an over-and-above gesture and will mean the world to them.
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What Flowers Should I Choose?
All flowers have a meaning and some of them can mean the same or similar things which thank goodness because with 400,000+ different flowering species, that is a lot of meanings to decipher.
The best types and colors of flowers to choose are the ones that have meaning to the honoree or the bereaved depending on the situation (see above). Their favorite flower should be front and center if available and their favorite colors should be represented throughout the event so that it is personalized to them and who they were. There are many ways to personalize a celebration of life and you can get more inspiration on my post, “Unique Ideas for a Celebration of Life.”
As for the meanings behind the types of celebration of life or funeral flowers, I have included some of the most popular below.
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Lilies
This tends to be one of the most traditional flowers for celebrations of life or funerals. A white lily means purity and heavenly while a yellow lily means happiness so choose wisely. Lily’s have a strong connection to Christianity and you will see them more often when the honoree has a strong faith.
You can also send a Peace Lily to the bereaved as it represents hope and healing which is what we want for them and the family.
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Roses
We all love roses and they have a plethora of meanings so choosing the right color is imperative.
Red roses, of course, mean I Love You or love in general
Dark Crimson and Black are a sign of mourning
Pink means happiness
White means heavenly, innocence, and ‘I’m worthy of you’
Yellow represents friendship (also can mean remember me)
Peach means serenity and gratitude
Ivory means grace, charm, or thoughtfulness. So if the honoree imbued these characteristics then Ivory roses could be perfect.
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Carnations
According to the Victorian-era flower etiquette (which is still used today), carnations overall mean female or motherly love. These are also very popular because they are fragrant and long-lasting flowers making them perfect for services and events that may cover a few days. Just like almost all flowers, the individual colors and more meaning.
Red means deep love and heartache
White means innocence and pure love
Pink means I’ll never forget you
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Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, or mums, symbolize grief and mourning in many European and Pacific Asian countries and therefore are very popular for the bereaved or at funeral services. Please do note that in many other countries, they are symbols of motherhood, long life, perfection, and good luck so they do have vastly different meanings around the world but they are still a beautiful and popular choice for celebrations of life and funerals.
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Orchids
Orchids often symbolize beauty and love and if you want to say, “I will always love you” then this a the flower for you.
Pink represents femininity and grace
Purple is a symbol of admiration and respect
White, of course, means purity and innocence
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Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas overall symbolize gratitude and are amazing for letting someone know you are grateful to have had them in your life.
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Gladioli
Gladioli is representative of someone who displayed a strength of character, integrity, and sincerity in their lives. This is another example of a great flower to send to the bereaved as well as the honoree.
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Daffodils
Daffodils are perfect for showing your regard or bringing encouragement and hope to the grieving family. They can also mean an unequaled love so they can be used at a celebration of life or funeral as well.
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Forget-me-nots
Just like the name suggests, forget-me-nots mean true love memories and don’t forget me. These are a beautiful way to show the honoree that they live on in our hearts and memories.
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Snapdragons
Snapdragons have gained popularity in the celebration of life and funeral flower options as they are being used more and more. They symbolize graciousness so if the honoree displayed that characteristic then snapdragons would be a perfect addition.
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Iris
Iris symbolizes faith, hope, wisdom, trust, and valor so this one can cover a lot of meaning into one flower. Due to these embodiments, they are great for honoring the deceased or sending to the bereaved (family or friends).
Some other plants & flowers that can hold special meanings:
Grief
Aloe
Marigold
Strength
Thyme
Oak
Courage
Edelweiss
Thyme
Love
Aster - Symbol of love
Baby’s Breath - Everlasting love
Daisy - Loyal love
Gardenia - Eternal love
Heliotrope - Eternal love
Honeysuckle - Bonds of love
White Hyacinth - Loveliness, Prayers for someone
White Jasmine - Sweet love
Yarrow - Everlasting love
Adoration & Loyalty
Dwarf Sunflower - Adoration
Daisy - Loyal love
Sorrel - Affection
Beauty
Calla Lily
Clematis - Mental Beauty/Strength
Hibiscus - Delicate beauty
Lady’s Slipper- Capricious beauty
Grace
Yellow Jasmine - Grace and elegance
Rue
Sympathy
Lemon Balm
Coral Rose
Purity
Lotus Flower - Purity, enlightenment, and rebirth
White Lily-of-the-Valley - Trustworthiness and purity
Orange Blossom - Loveliness and purity
Remembrance
Pansy - Thoughts
Rosemary - Remembrance
Blue Salvia - I think of you
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Closing thoughts on celebration of life and funeral flowers
Celebration of life and funeral flowers are a long-standing tradition of many cultures and religions and offer solace and comfort to grieving friends and family. Choosing the “right” flower and color can seem overwhelming and stressful to some but the only commitment you need to make is to honor your loved one with beautiful flowers regardless of which ones they are. If they loved geraniums then it shouldn’t matter that to some they could mean folly or foolishness because it meant more to them than that (btw: I think geraniums look joyful and make me happy). The flowers you pick should bring you peace and hopefully a little joy in their beauty and make the event space feel welcoming. I strongly suggest you speak with a florist to come up with the perfect arrangements that fit your venue, size of event, and budget.
Remember that if you choose to work with a celebration of life and memorial planner, they can also help you find and meet with a fantastic florist (that they already know and trust) therefore removing the stress of finding one on your own. Event planners, like myself, are there to help you plan meaningful celebrations of life (memorials and funerals) without feeling even more stressed out and with the peace of mind that you have an expert there with you every step of the way.
Are you planning a celebration of life? Let’s talk more, start by filling out the form below.
