A Florist’s Guide to Selecting the Right Flowers for a Funeral in Calgary

Picking the right funeral flowers is both a meaningful gesture and a delicate task. These blooms show respect, honor, and love for the person who said goodbye to this world, and they bring comfort to grieving family members and friends. This guide will help you pick appropriate flowers for a funeral in Calgary so your tribute fits the occasion and shows the respect you want to show.

Meanings of Common Funeral Flowers

People have used funeral flowers for thousands of years to honor those who have passed away. The beauty of these funeral flowers reminds us of life’s cycle and offers comfort in tough times. Each flower has its own special meaning and sends a different message. If you know these meanings behind funeral flowers, you can choose funeral flowers that best show how you feel.

• Lilies: People often link lilies with funerals. They stand for the restored innocence of the departed soul. Many people pick lilies to show sympathy and peace.
• Roses: Roses have many uses, and each color means something different. Red roses stand for love and grief, white roses mean purity and innocence, and yellow roses represent friendship and memory.
• Orchids: Orchids are classy flowers that show endless love and beauty. They work well to express admiration and respect.
• Carnations: Known for their long-lasting nature, carnations are a popular choice for funeral arrangements. Red carnations symbolize admiration, while white carnations represent pure love and innocence.
• Chrysanthemums: Across various cultures, people consider chrysanthemums as a symbol of death. They often use these flowers in funeral arrangements to pay tribute to those who have passed away.

Choosing Funeral Flowers Based on Personal Preferences

When choosing flowers for a funeral in calgary, think about what the departed soul used to like and what their personality was. Did they have a flower or color that they used to prefer a lot? Adding these elements to the arrangement gives it a personal feel and makes the tribute more special. For example, if they adored sunflowers, putting them in the arrangement can serve as a lovely way to remember them.

Types of Funeral Flower Arrangements

You’ll find several kinds of funeral flower arrangements each with its own purpose and unique way to show sympathy. Here are some common funeral flower arrangement choices:

Casket Sprays

Casket sprays are large flower arrangements that sit on top of the casket. The close family picks these, and they can customize them to show the personality and preferences of the person who passed away. These displays often have elegant flowers with calming hues such as white lilies, roses, and orchids.

Standing Sprays

Standing sprays are flower arrangements shown on an easel and placed close to the casket or at the entry of the funeral service. People often shape them as crosses or hearts, and many choose them to express deep respect and love.

Wreaths

Wreaths are round arrangements that represent unending life and the cycle of birth and death. People often put them near the coffin or grave. You can make them with different flowers to show how you feel.

Bouquets and Baskets

Bouquets and baskets are smaller flower sets that you can place around the venue or send straight to the family’s home. They add a personal touch and offer a kind way to express sympathy.

Funeral Posies

Funeral posies are small round flower bunches often placed inside or on top of the coffin. They provide a simple yet elegant way to honor the person who died.

Cultural and Religious Considerations

Funeral practices differ a lot among various cultures and faiths, each having its own traditions regarding funeral flowers. You need to know these customs to ensure your floral tribute is appropriate and respectful.

Christian Funerals

Christian funerals often feature lilies, roses, and chrysanthemums. People tend to choose white flowers because they stand for peace and purity. Many people also like cross-shaped arrangements, which reflect Christian beliefs.

Jewish Funerals

Jewish funerals don’t include flowers. Instead, people give to charity or send food baskets to the family in mourning. These acts are seen as more fitting ways to show support.

Hindu Funerals

Hindu funerals often have garlands and loose flowers, particularly marigolds. White stands out as the color of choice because it represents purity and peace.

Buddhist Funerals

White flowers play a big role in Buddhist funerals to show mourning. People stay away from red flowers because they’re linked to celebrations.

Islamic Funeral

Islamic funerals tend to keep things simple. While flowers don’t show up at the funeral itself, people might send them to the family’s home to show they care.

Working with Florists to Create Meaningful Arrangements

Picking out the flowers for a funeral in calgary can be tough, especially during a time of grief. Teaming up with a knowledgeable and experienced florist can make things easier and make sure your flower tribute looks beautiful and gets there on time.

Considerations for Working with a Florist

Talk About Your Ideas: Tell your florist about any particular flowers, colors, or designs you’re thinking of. This helps them come up with a custom tribute for the funeral ceremony that shows respect for the person who passed away perfectly.

Figure Out Your Spending Limit:  Funeral flowers can vary greatly in cost. Deciding how much you want to spend beforehand will help the florist create arrangements that work with your budget.

Think Ahead: Ordering funeral flowers in advance ensures that they arrive on time for the service. Floral stores can also help get them to the venue or family’s house timely.

Ask for Samples: If possible, get samples or photos of past arrangements the floral store has made. This shows you their style and skill.

To Wrap Up

Picking the right flowers for a funeral in calgary is a heartfelt way to remember a loved one and offer comfort to those who are grieving. When you know what different flowers mean, understand cultural and religious values, and work with an expert florist, you can make a meaningful flower tribute that shows the unique personality and life of the person who passed away. Whether you pick a simple bunch or a big arrangement, your kind act will be valued and remembered by those who receive it.

Funeral flowers have a big impact on showing sympathy and honoring a person’s life. In Calgary, where people from many cultures live together, knowing these details helps you give a respectful and meaningful tribute to the departed soul and grieving family. Keep in mind that the best flowers can say a lot when it’s hard to find words to bring comfort and beauty in a time of grief.