Why are Sympathy Flowers Important?

Sympathy flowers are a comforting way to show support to a family that is grieving the loss of a loved one.  Symbols, such as flowers, convey love and communicate emotions that words fail to capture.  Not only are flowers a lovely tribute, they also provide much-needed calm and peace of mind during this difficult time. Studies have shown that flowers have a positive impact on the emotional well-being of a person.

The most common colors for sympathy flowers are white, yellow, pink, pale blue or lilac.  Individual types of flowers can communicate slightly different meanings.  Also called floriography, the art of speaking with flowers originated in Persia where illiterate women living in apartments in the Ottoman palaces used flowers to communicate, as written language was forbidden.

Three of the Most Popular Types of Sympathy Flowers

Lily: It is often interpreted as a symbol of renewal and rebirth.  The idea of renewal and rebirth is particularly applicable to faith-based services.  The white color of the lily also carries associations with purity and youth, making it a good choice for the funeral of someone who has died at a young age.

Rose: This enormously popular flower has very different meanings associated with different colors. Like the lily, white roses tend to represent purity and innocence.  Peach roses represent sincerity and gratitude and can be given to a family whose loved one has blessed your life.  Pink roses also indicate gratitude.  The yellow rose is a symbol of friendship that expresses your support.

Carnation: The carnation is a symbol of love.  Some people believe that the word “carnation” came from “incarnation,” the Latin word that refers to God in the flesh.  With this in mind, a carnation could be given as a gift to a family to honor a life that reflected the spirit of Christ.  More generally, it can be used to express love for the family or for the loved one who has passed.  And since the carnation is the traditional flower of Mother’s Day, it can be a great choice to honor the life of a person who was a great mother to her children.