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Why Do We Have Flowers at Funerals?

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21Jul 2021

Why Do We Have Flowers at Funerals?

In the modern age, funeral flowers are seen as an expression of love, respect and administration for someone who has passed away. And while flowers have long been an important part of the funeral process, they weren’t always there for that purpose. In fact, hundreds of years ago, funeral flowers had a much more practical purpose. They were typically left by the casket where the body lay within to provide a more pleasant fragrance and detract from the scent of decay. Not such a lovely reason, but definitely important.
 
These days, of course, there is no such need for flowers to serve this purpose. But historians seem the belief that although they were no longer needed, for this reason, people just got so used to doing it, and it became a tradition passed down through the generations, long after the issue of scent was dealt with.
 
In our modern world, some people have expressed confusion over the whole practice, as depending on your personal beliefs you may not understand how having flowers delivered to the grave benefits the deceased. However, in many religions and cultures, it was traditional to provide offerings to deities and spiritual guides to request that they protected the deceased in the afterlife. Such beliefs may be less prominent nowadays, but the spiritual side of flower-giving has contributed to the tradition over the years.
 
Today, there remains a great deal of tradition around funeral flower arrangements. Certain flowers are considered to be ‘suitable' for funerals above others, lilies being one of the most obvious options. However, trends have changed over the years with regard to funeral flower delivery. Just as the purpose behind having flowers delivered has changed, so too has the way people choose to express themselves via flower arrangements.
 
In the past, if you were to send funeral flowers, you’d typically be encouraged to send a certain bloom, but these days there is much more flexibility. Flowers are chosen for a variety of reasons, such as the preference of the deceased while they were alive or even the person sending them. There is also an element of practicality around the process. Certain flowers are more suitable for different displays. Funeral posies, for example, will use different combinations of flowers than a letter tribute might.
 
In this way, flowers are also used to signal our connection to the deceased. A parent, spouse, or sibling, may choose to have a floral tribute designed that spells out this connection, while a more distant relative or friend will typically choose to send a smaller bouquet to express their grief and love for the deceased.
 
Flowers have a longstanding important role in the practice of honouring the dead. Again, going back to practical considerations, the bequeathment of flowers at a grave also provides a more appealing visual scene. To witness a grave without any ornamental additions - be it flowers or something else - can be quite jarring to see, so the simple act of adding flowers to the site makes it look nicer. This not only feels like a mark of respect to the deceased but can also be an important part of acknowledging the loss that has occurred for those left behind.
 
Ultimately, there is no single clear answer as to why we continue to include flowers as part of the funeral process, but for many, it provides a sense of comfort. For others, it signals respect and love for the deceased, and others like the tradition behind it. Whatever the reason, if it feels right to you, follow your gut and express yourself in flowers.



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