Funerals and grieving are not very cheerful topics but they are a part of life and people use symbols to convey their grief. Flowers, with their intricate beauty and profound meanings, play a significant role in this process. While the white lilies are a symbol of death in many cultures, chrysanthemums are also considered to be low-key mourning flowers. They are subtle communication of feelings of sympathy, respect, and remembrance and a way of saying things that could be difficult to say in words.
In this article, we are going to look at the 15+ flowers that mean death and mourning. If you are in search of a proper funeral flower arrangement or just need to decipher the language of flowers in the grieving process, this guide will be useful to you.
Flowers That Mean Death and Mourning
Flowers hold powerful meanings and are often used to express emotions that words cannot. Some flowers have been traditionally used to symbolize death and grief, but at the same time represent honor, memory, and the duality of life and loss.
Gladiolus
Gladiolus, characterized by its high stems and large and colorful flowers, stands for strength, courage, and remembrance. Gladiolus flowers are part of funeral services. It is related to the Roman gladiators’ spirit and the Greek souls of the dead. Gladiolus is originally from Africa, Europe, and Asia, and prefers well-drained soils and full suns but has pest issues.
Marigold
Day of the Dead is associated with marigolds, which are yellow and orange flowers that represent the sun and the light that people follow. People are said that they have some sort of power and are used to fight evil. Marigolds are very robust plants that grow best in full sun, moderate water, and even in bad soils hence are symbolic of the rebirth or life after death.
Monkey Orchid
The Monkey orchids are flowers found in the cloud forests of Ecuador and Peru, and these monkey orchids flowers look like a monkey’s face. Monkey orchids represent knowledge, eternity, and the process of dying and being reborn which is associated with the story of the Monkey King. These orchids are famous for their smell, which resembles a dead body. They grow best in harsh conditions such as high humidity, cool temperatures, and indirect sunlight.
Asphodel
The asphodel flower symbolizes the regrets and the memories that people have in the afterlife. In the past, Asphodel represents everlasting grief or a vow of allegiance beyond the grave. As a rule, asphodels are given at the funerals or on the anniversary of the death. Therefore, asphodel flowers symbolize the desire for the peace of the soul in the afterlife. That is why they are appropriate for the memorials.
Anemone
Anemones symbolize death and grief; in the mythology of Ancient Greece, the flower grew from the tears of Aphrodite when she was mourning for Adonis. Today, anemone flowers are used to pay tribute to the deceased and to convey sympathy. However, in Japanese culture, anemone is considered to be an unlucky flower and therefore should not be chosen by the Japanese.
Poppy
Poppy flowers that are used in the memorial dedicated to the fallen soldiers are the flowers of sacrifice, of peace, of sleep. The opium poppy’s link to narcotics adds layers of meaning—ranging from euphoria to death. These small but beautiful flowers grow best in soil that has good drainage and in full sun but poppies are fragile flowers and should be handled gently.
Rosemary
Rosemary is an herb with small blue flowers and is used to symbolize memory and friendship during mourning. People are usually placed on the graves and people believed that it had magical powers that could improve memory and act as a repellent to evil spirits. Rosemary plant is native to the Mediterranean region and thrives in various conditions of climate, and soil type with good drainage and full sun exposure.
Black Rose
The black rose is not black at all but a very dark purple or red that gives the rose a very sinister look. Black Rose is one of the rare flower colors that is identified with death and mourning and conveys the message of sorrow and leave-taking. Black roses are used in books and paintings to depict the closing of a chapter or the last farewell, which is why they are associated with loss.
Orchid
Pink and white orchids are the classic sympathy flowers and symbolize everlasting love. Of all the species the Phalaenopsis and the Dendrobium species are especially appreciated for their graceful appearance and for their ability to convey comfort in times of grief.
Wolfsbane
Wolfsbane with its purple hooded blossom is poisonous and is often linked with peril and retribution. Wolfsbane is one of the flowers that mean death since the flower is toxic and is associated with werewolves’ myths. Propagation of wolfsbane is quite challenging because of its poisonous nature; the plant prefers areas with shade and moisture.
Carnation
Carnations, with their ruffled petals and pleasant fragrances, are familiar symbols of love and sorrow in mourning rituals. Carnation color deepens the sentiment they convey: red symbolizes passion and sorrow and white symbolizes purity. These carnation flowers are originally from Europe and Asia can grow in different environments with one of the requirements being well-drained soil, partial shade, and moderate watering.
Chrysanthemum
White chrysanthemums are generally associated with death and mourning in Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea. In some of the European countries such as Belgium, Italy, France, and Austria chrysanthemums flowers are also symbolic of sorrow and are used in funeral-related activities. As symbols of mourning and death, chrysanthemums are also symbols of friendship chrysanthemum flowers are not hard to cultivate and they require a sunny location with good drainage and water on a regular basis.
Cypress Vine
Cypress vine has star-shaped flowers in red, pink, or white color and it is used in cemeteries as it represents death or mourning. Cypress vine originating from Mexico and Central America, the cypress vine is associated with the Day of the Dead since the flower is believed to guide the spirits of the dead. Moreover, in Christianity, the cypress vine symbolizes eternal life and the cycle of nature. Cypress vine is a fast-growing plant that can be grown in different types of soils and weather conditions and requires moderate water and sunlight.
Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a plant with yellow flowers that grows in clusters and is considered a plant of farewell to summer and the coming of autumn. Goldenrod is used for healing and it symbolizes prosperity and eternal life. Goldenrod thrives in different types of soils and does not require much attention and care.
Dry White Rose
White roses that are dried are symbolic and have a very sad meaning – purity and the belief that dying is better than living without honor. Dry white rose flowers that are very sensitive and are normally preserved through techniques such as freeze drying get the eye and the moment of reflection of the frailty of life and virtue.
Cowslip
Cowslips are associated with the life cycle and the spirit and are used in Irish and Welsh folklore. These cowslip flowers are believed to have magical properties to open the gates to the fairy world, which basically means a transition from the material to the ethereal realm. In funeral contexts, cowslips are used based on people’s perceptions of the afterlife of the soul.
What Special Occasions Should Give Flowers That Mean Death?
The flowers that are associated with death are used for mourning as they are considered as tokens of comfort during the sad moments. The flowers that symbolize death is suitable for funerals, memorial services, and any events that mark the anniversary of the death of a close friend or family member as that is a way of cherishing the moments that one shared with the deceased and as well as a way of comforting the bereaved.
These flowers may also be given when someone is commemorating a significant loss, such as the end of a relationship or another major life transition, so as to show empathy, grief, and closure.
Final Words
Flowers that mean death and mourning hold a special place in expressing sympathy and respect. Each of the 15+ flowers described below has its own meaning, which makes it possible to choose them for recalling and commemorating something. The white lilies, for example, are soothing and the chrysanthemums are timeless and can be reassuring in a way. Perhaps these flowers should be used in the next memorial arrangement or else they can be kept to remind one of the beauty that is present even in death.