The meaning of funeral flowers

• White lily: purity and peace. It is the flower of formal tributes. Its scent is powerful, so keep that in mind for a small room.

• White rose: respect and remembrance. It suits any relationship and is the most common choice.

• Pale pink rose: tenderness and gratitude, often for a mother, a grandmother or a child.

• Red rose: love. It is usually kept for a spouse or children.

• Chrysanthemum: remembrance. In France, Belgium and the Catholic parts of Switzerland, it is the flower of All Saints' Day and graves.

• Carnation: loyalty and affection. In white, it speaks of pure attachment.

• Orchid: lasting love. As a potted plant, it stays with the family for a long time.

• Gladiolus: strength of character and integrity, to honor someone upright and brave.

• Forget-me-not: memory. Its common name says it in many languages: forget-me-not in English, ne m'oubliez pas in French, Vergissmeinnicht in German.

• Pansy: remembrance. The name comes from the French pensée, meaning "thought."

• Daisy: innocence and simplicity, often for a child.

• Tulip: renewal and hope, for a brighter tribute.

• Hydrangea: gratitude and heartfelt emotion.

• Baby's breath: delicacy. Its tiny white flowers lighten an arrangement.

• Strawflower and other everlastings: enduring memory. Dried, they keep their shape and color.

It gets less attention, but foliage carries a message as well.

• Ivy: loyalty and attachment, because it clings and stays green all year.

• Laurel: glory and honor. Wreaths have been woven from it since antiquity.

• Olive branches: peace.

• Boxwood: in the Catholic tradition, a sprig of blessed boxwood is used to sprinkle the casket with holy water.

• Cypress: mourning. In Mediterranean countries, it lines cemeteries.

A flower's meaning is not universal. In much of Asia, white is the color of mourning, as it is in Europe. In China, red is the color of celebration and has no place at a funeral. In Japan, the chrysanthemum is the emblem of the imperial family, and white chrysanthemums are also used at funerals. In Mexico, the orange marigold, cempasúchil, decorates altars for the Day of the Dead.

Religions have their customs too. In the Jewish tradition, flowers are generally not part of funerals. In Muslim families, they are often understated, sometimes absent. If the family comes from a different culture than yours, ask someone close to them before choosing.

You can combine meanings: white roses and ivy say respect and loyalty, lilies and olive say peace. But don't build a coded message nobody will read. The card or ribbon will say clearly what you feel.

To choose the format, read our guide which flowers to give for a funeral. For the shade, see our advice on funeral flower colors, and for the words, our message examples for funeral flowers.

Our hearts, wreaths, sprays and funeral cushions are delivered free anywhere in Switzerland, at least two days before the service.