Best Flowers for a Funeral: Meanings, Colors, and Thoughtful Choices
Written by Watanabe Floral, Inc.
Flowers can carry personal meaning at a funeral. White lilies may reflect peace, roses can express love, and orchids are often associated with lasting affection. But the most meaningful choice is not always the most traditional flower. Sometimes, it's a bloom that reminds the family of someone they love.
If you're choosing funeral flowers in Honolulu, we'll help you understand the meanings commonly associated with different blooms, how colors influence an arrangement, and what to consider when creating a personal tribute.
Which Flowers Are Most Appropriate for a Funeral?
Lilies, roses, carnations, orchids, and chrysanthemums are among the flowers commonly used in funeral arrangements. Each has traditional associations, although those meanings can vary across cultures and families.
Here is a closer look at what each flower can represent.
1. Lilies: Peace and Remembrance
White lilies are among the most recognizable funeral flowers. They are often associated with peace, innocence, and the hope of spiritual renewal.
Their elegant appearance makes them suitable for traditional funeral services, particularly when the family prefers a simple white arrangement.
Lilies also pair well with roses or greenery in larger memorial designs.
One practical consideration is their fragrance. Some lily varieties have a strong scent, so a lighter arrangement may be preferable for a small indoor venue or a recipient sensitive to floral fragrances.
2. Roses: Love and Respect
Roses are a familiar way to express affection, making them suitable for tributes from family members and close friends.
Their traditional meanings often depend on the color:
• White roses: Reverence, remembrance, and respect.
• Red roses: Deep love and affection.
• Pink roses: Gratitude, admiration, and tenderness.
• Yellow roses: Friendship and cherished memories in many Western traditions.
A red-and-white rose arrangement may express both love and remembrance, while softer pink roses can create a gentler tribute.
If roses were the person's favorite flower, that personal connection can matter more than traditional symbolism.
3. Orchids: Enduring Love and Admiration
Orchids are often associated with enduring affection and admiration.
Their graceful shape makes them a natural choice for funeral flowers, particularly when a family wants to incorporate a tropical element.
White orchids can complement traditional sympathy arrangements, while purple or pink varieties offer an alternative for someone who appreciated color.
Potted orchids are another option when sending condolences to the family home. Unlike a large ceremonial arrangement, an orchid plant can be displayed in a smaller space and enjoyed beyond the service.
Our sympathy arrangements for the home include floral designs and potted orchids for expressing condolences.
4. Carnations: Lasting Affection and Remembrance
Carnations have long been associated with affection and remembrance.
White carnations are commonly linked to pure love and respect, while pink carnations may represent gratitude or the memory of someone dear.
Their layered petals also make them useful in funeral designs that require fullness and texture.
Carnations can be arranged on their own or combined with roses and other blooms. They offer a traditional appearance without requiring an elaborate design.
5. Chrysanthemums: Mourning and Honor
Chrysanthemums have particularly strong associations with remembrance in several cultures.
In Japan and parts of East Asia, white chrysanthemums are closely connected with mourning and funeral traditions. In some European countries, chrysanthemums are also associated with graves and remembrance.
In the United States, chrysanthemums are commonly included in funeral arrangements alongside other flowers.
Because cultural meanings differ, it is helpful to consider the family's traditions before selecting a design centered on chrysanthemums.
Rather than assuming a particular flower is appropriate based on someone's ethnicity, ask whether the family has expressed a preference.
6. Tropical Flowers: A Personal Connection to Hawaii
For someone with a strong connection to Hawaii, tropical flowers can make a memorial arrangement feel especially personal.
Orchids, anthuriums, and tropical foliage can bring familiar shapes and colors into a floral tribute. Plumeria may also hold personal meaning for someone who loved the islands.
These flowers do not carry one universal funeral meaning. Their significance often comes from memories, family traditions, or a connection to a particular place.
A tropical arrangement may be especially fitting for someone who loved gardening, spent time outdoors, or simply preferred the colors of Hawaii.
We offer sympathy and funeral floral arrangements that include traditional and tropical designs. If you have a particular flower in mind, our team can discuss options based on availability.
What Do Funeral Flower Colors Mean?
The color of an arrangement can influence how it feels, but no single color is appropriate for every funeral.
Flower Color
Common Associations
When It May Be Appropriate
White
Peace, reverence, remembrance
Traditional services and understated tributes
Soft pink
Affection, gratitude, tenderness
Personal tributes from family and friends
Lavender or purple
Dignity, admiration, remembrance
Memorials with softer colors
Red
Deep love and devotion
Tributes for a spouse, partner, or close loved one
Yellow
Friendship and cherished memories
Personalized arrangements where the color is meaningful
Bright mixed colors
Personality, warmth, celebration
Celebrations of life or services where vibrant flowers are welcome
Are There Flower Colors You Should Avoid?
Some colors have different cultural associations.
For example, red is associated with celebration and good fortune in many Chinese traditions, so some families may not consider it appropriate for a funeral. Other families may welcome red flowers because the color held special meaning for their loved one.
Yellow and white can also have different associations depending on cultural and religious traditions.
Rather than treating any color as universally appropriate or inappropriate, consider what the family has requested.
If no preference is known, an arrangement featuring white flowers and greenery is a familiar traditional option. It is not, however, a universal requirement.
Bright flowers are also suitable when they reflect the person's personality or the family's wishes for the service.
How to Choose Funeral Flowers That Reflect Your Loved One
Traditional flower meanings can provide a starting point, but personal details often lead to a more meaningful tribute.
Think about what the person enjoyed, the flowers they kept at home, or the colors they wore most often.
Flowers for a Father or Grandfather
For a father or grandfather, consider flowers that reflect his preferences rather than choosing a design based only on gender.
Deep red roses may express love and admiration. Greenery and tropical flowers can suit someone who enjoyed nature or the outdoors.
If he loved bright colors or sunflowers, those may be more meaningful than a traditional all-white arrangement.
Flowers for a Mother or Grandmother
Roses, lilies, carnations, and orchids are all possibilities for a mother or grandmother.
Soft pink or lavender arrangements can express affection, but favorite flowers should come first whenever possible.
Perhaps she grew roses in her garden, kept orchids at home, or always admired a particular tropical flower.
Including those blooms can make the arrangement feel connected to her life.
Flowers for a Friend or Another Family Member
For a friend, aunt, uncle, godparent, or another loved one, choose flowers that reflect your shared memories.
A favorite color can guide the arrangement. So can a flower associated with a meaningful occasion or place.
If you're ordering on behalf of several people, you can also include a card identifying everyone sending the tribute.
We welcome requests for preferred flowers and colors, subject to seasonal availability and the arrangement selected.
Matching the Flowers to the Funeral Arrangement
Once you have chosen the flowers or colors, consider where the tribute will be displayed.
The arrangement itself should suit the location and the family's plans.
Arrangement
Typical Use
Flowers to Consider
Casket spray
Placed on the casket, traditionally selected by close family
Roses, lilies, orchids, or meaningful mixed blooms
Standing spray or wreath
Displayed at a funeral, memorial, or graveside service
Roses, chrysanthemums, carnations, tropical flowers
Urn or photo tribute
Arranged around an urn or memorial photograph
Flowers chosen to complement the tribute setting
Sympathy bouquet
Sent to the family home
Roses, orchids, carnations, or mixed seasonal flowers
Potted orchid
Sent to the family home
Phalaenopsis orchids
These are examples, not fixed flower requirements.
Our sympathy services guide explains the different memorial arrangements we offer, including casket sprays, standing sprays, wreaths, and tribute pieces.
If you're deciding whether an arrangement belongs at the service or the family's home, that guide is a useful place to begin.
A Few Practical Considerations Before Choosing
Some flower choices deserve a little extra thought beyond appearance and symbolism.
Consider fragrance. Lilies and other scented blooms may be overwhelming in smaller venues. If the family has mentioned fragrance sensitivities, request a design with less strongly scented flowers.
Think about pets when sending flowers to a home. True lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) can cause severe kidney injury in cats. If the household has cats, avoid including these flowers. The ASPCA's guide to lilies and pets explains the risks.
Check flower availability. Some varieties or colors may not be available for every arrangement. We may recommend substitutions that preserve the general style and color theme.
Respect the family's wishes. If the family has asked guests not to send flowers, follow their preference. A personal message or donation to a requested organization may be more appropriate.
Choosing Funeral Flowers in Honolulu
Whether you prefer traditional white flowers, roses in a loved one's favorite color, or a tropical design, we can help you explore arrangements that suit the occasion.
Our team creates funeral wreaths, casket sprays, standing arrangements, urn tributes, and sympathy flowers for the home.
Some specialized designs require advance ordering, particularly when specific flowers or colors are requested. We recommend discussing your preferred arrangement and service details with our team so we can confirm the available options.
You can browse our funeral flower collection online or call us at (808) 832-9360.
Need Help Choosing Funeral Flowers?
Tell us which flowers or colors are meaningful to your family. We can help you select an arrangement that reflects the person you want to remember.
Explore Our Sympathy and Funeral Flowers
