Funeral Flowers Meaning Explained: Symbolism Behind Popular Blooms

When people ask us about funeral flowers, meaning is usually the second question. The first is "what's appropriate?", and the two go together. Knowing a little about what each flower traditionally stands for makes the choice feel less like guesswork at a time when you have enough to think about.

This guide covers what the most common sympathy flowers stand for, how funeral flower delivery works with us, what funeral wreaths and sprays are, and a few things to keep in mind when you're sending sympathy flowers in the GTA.

What funeral flowers are for

Flowers at a funeral show respect for the person who died and give the family something gentle to look at during a hard day. For people who can't be there, or can't find the words, they're a way of saying "I'm thinking of you" without having to say much. Nobody at a service is checking whether you picked the right flower. Sending something at all is what people notice.

Symbolism of popular funeral flowers

These are the flowers you'll most often see in sympathy arrangements, and what they traditionally stand for.

Lilies: peace and restored innocence

Lilies are probably the flower most people picture at a funeral. White lilies traditionally stand for peace and for the innocence of the soul being restored, which is why they turn up so often at religious and formal services. Oriental lilies have a strong scent, so for a small room or someone sensitive to fragrance, we'd use fewer of them.

Roses: love and respect

Roses suit almost any relationship, because the colour changes the message:

• Red: deep love, and the grief that comes with it. Often chosen by a partner or close family.
• White: remembrance and reverence.
• Pink: gratitude and appreciation, a kind choice from a friend or colleague.

Carnations: lasting affection

Carnations last a long time in water and cope well with warm rooms, which is one reason they've been used at services for generations. White ones traditionally mean pure love and remembrance; red ones, admiration.

Chrysanthemums: honour and grief

In much of Europe and parts of Asia, chrysanthemums, especially white ones, are so closely tied to mourning that they're rarely given for anything else. Here in Canada they're used more freely, but a family with roots in those traditions will likely read them as a funeral flower first.

Orchids: lasting love

Orchids are often linked with eternal love, and orchid plants are a common gift to a family home because they last for weeks. They aren't in our range, but if an orchid meant something to the person, call us at (437) 291-5605 and ask.

Gladiolus: strength and integrity

Gladiolus grow on tall, straight stems and traditionally stand for strength of character and integrity. Their height is why they show up so often in large pieces for a service.

Understanding sympathy arrangements

Sympathy arrangements are flowers sent to offer condolences, usually to the family's home rather than to the service itself. They tend to be quieter than celebration flowers: white, cream, soft green, pale pink or lavender, in a calm shape rather than a busy one.

We make bouquets and vase arrangements, designed by hand in our studio in Oak Ridges, at the north end of Richmond Hill, from that day's flowers. For a house in mourning, we'd usually choose a vase arrangement. Nobody there should have to hunt for a vase or trim stems that week. You can see what we have in our sympathy flowers and vase arrangements.

Funeral wreaths and sprays: traditional expressions of respect

Funeral wreaths and sprays are the two larger formats you'll see at most traditional services.

Funeral wreaths

A wreath is a ring of flowers and greenery, usually set on an easel. The circle traditionally stands for eternity, with no beginning and no end, and for the idea that love carries on after a death.

Funeral sprays

A spray is a large arrangement laid on the casket or set on a stand nearby. Traditionally the immediate family sends the casket spray, and standing sprays come from relatives, friends or a workplace.

These larger pieces aren't in our online shop. If you're hoping for something bigger for a service, call us at (437) 291-5605 or send a note through our contact page, and we can talk it through with you.

How funeral flower delivery works

Sending sympathy flowers through us is simple:

• We deliver across York Region and Toronto, seven days a week.
• Same-day delivery is possible when you order by 1 pm, for most postal codes.
• You choose a window: anytime, morning or afternoon. If the flowers need to arrive before a visitation, morning is the safer pick.
• You can book a future date at checkout. Flowers that arrive a week or two after the funeral, when the house has gone quiet, are often the most welcome.
• You can add a gift message, which we tuck in with the flowers. Prices are never included.

If you're sending to a funeral home, it's worth calling them first to check that they accept deliveries and at what times. Fees and areas are on our delivery page.

Choosing the right funeral flowers

A few simple guidelines:

• White, cream and soft colours are the traditional choice, and you won't go wrong with them.
• If the person had a favourite flower or colour, that matters more than any meaning on a list. Sunflowers for someone who lived in their garden are not out of place.
• Follow the family's cultural or religious customs if you know them. If you don't, it's fine to quietly ask someone close to them.
• If the family has asked for donations instead of flowers, respect that. A small arrangement sent to the home a few weeks later can still be welcome.

Funeral flowers and cultural meaning

Customs around funeral flowers vary a great deal, and the GTA brings many of them together.

• In many East Asian traditions, white and yellow chrysanthemums are the flowers of mourning, and red is avoided as too celebratory.
• A celebration of life often calls for brighter flowers that reflect the person's personality.
• In many Jewish and Muslim traditions, flowers aren't usually part of the funeral itself, and food or a donation is sent to the family instead.

If you're unsure, white is the safest choice across most traditions, and asking the family or funeral home is never rude.

Sympathy flowers across the GTA

Sending sympathy flowers in the GTA usually means sending to a home or funeral home somewhere between downtown Toronto and the towns of York Region. We deliver to both. Delivery starts at $12 and is priced by driving distance.

If a stem isn't up to standard on the day, we swap it for one of equal or higher value in the same colours, so the arrangement still looks the way you chose it.

What funeral flowers do for the family

Families rarely have the energy to say much about flowers in the days around a funeral, but they see them. Weeks later, when the phone stops ringing and the visitors have gone home, a vase on the kitchen table is a small sign that someone remembered.

If you're not sure what to send, call us at (437) 291-5605 and we'll help you choose something simple and kind.