Flowers have always spoken for us when words feel thin. They can offer quiet comfort at funerals, say “I remember you” at an anniversary, or simply sit in a vase at home as a reminder that someone was here, once, and loved.
Memorial flowers aren’t just pretty gestures. At their best, they’re personal tributes, shaped with care, designed to hold meaning for the people left behind.
This is a guide for anyone wanting to create floral arrangements that do more than fill space at a service or sit blankly on a headstone. This is about making them matter.
Why Flowers Matter in Grief
We don’t always know what to say when someone dies. Loss is awkward, raw, silencing. But flowers, somehow, manage to talk anyway.
They’ve been part of mourning rituals around the world for centuries. Ancient Greeks laid wreaths on graves. Victorian mourners sent symbolic bouquets filled with coded messages of sorrow, hope, and love.
Today, we’re not always as versed in flower symbolism as they were, but the instinct remains the same. We want to show respect. To mark that someone mattered. To say: I’m thinking of you.
Making It Personal
If you’re organising flowers for a funeral or memorial, start with the person.
Think about who they were, what they loved, how they lived. Was there a favourite colour they wore every day? A flower they grew in their own garden? A native bloom from the place they called home?
These are not small details. They are what lift a generic arrangement into something deeply personal.
Ideas to consider:
- Incorporate their favourite flower or colour scheme.
- Use blooms from their home state or country.
- Add herbs or native plants for a local, grounded feel.
- Choose shapes that reflect their personality – structured and formal, or wild and free.
Popular Flowers for Sympathy and Memorials
Some flowers are used often for memorial arrangements because of the meanings they’ve collected over time.
Here’s a quick guide to classic choices:
- Lilies – Often linked with the idea of the soul at peace. White lilies are especially traditional.
- Roses – Can be formal or simple, classic or modern. White for reverence, red for love, yellow for friendship.
- Chrysanthemums – Widely used in Asia and Europe for funerals, they signify honour and truth.
- Carnations – Long-lasting, accessible, and versatile in colour.
- Gladioli – Tall, striking, associated with strength of character.
- Orchids – Elegant, with a sense of enduring love.
But don’t feel confined to tradition. Some of the most touching tributes are those that break the mould because they feel true to the person.
Native and Local Touches
Australian native flowers can add authenticity and a strong sense of place to memorial tributes.
Proteas, banksias, waratahs, wattles, flowering gums – these bring a raw, natural beauty that feels honest and grounded. They can also be more resilient in outdoor settings or longer-lasting in arrangements.
For someone who loved the bush, hiked national parks, or simply appreciated the rugged beauty of Australia, native flowers can be a powerful, personal choice.
Designing for Different Settings
Memorial flowers aren’t one-size-fits-all. Consider where they’ll go and how they’ll be used.
For the service:
- Casket sprays: Large, lush, often the focal point.
- Wreaths: Symbolic of eternity, traditional but adaptable in style.
- Sheaf bouquets: Hand-tied, suitable for graveside placement or to take home.
- Vase arrangements: Good for signing tables or corners of the room.
For the grave or memorial site:
- Wreaths or bunches designed to lie flat or sit securely.
- Long-lasting or native flowers that handle weather.
For the family:
- Smaller, thoughtful arrangements delivered to their home after the service.
- Potted plants as a living tribute they can keep.
Beyond Flowers: Symbols and Keepsakes
A meaningful arrangement can go beyond blooms. Think about including:
- Ribbons or fabric in a significant colour.
- Personal items, like a small memento tucked in discreetly.
- Herbs with meaning (rosemary for remembrance).
- Cards with handwritten messages or poems.
These touches remind mourners that someone took the time to really think about the person being honoured.
A Florist’s Role in Grief
At B&M Florist, we know these are not just orders on an invoice. They’re emotional work. They’re part of how people process loss, show love, and begin to heal.
When someone calls us about memorial flowers, our first question is almost always: “Tell me about them.”
Because even the most beautiful arrangement feels empty if it doesn’t feel personal.
Final Thoughts
There’s no right way to grieve. No single arrangement that will make everything okay. But flowers can help.
They offer colour when life feels grey. Scent when everything else is numb. Life in the middle of mourning.
If you’re planning flowers for someone you’ve lost, let them be for that person. Honest. Specific. Personal. That’s where the real beauty lies.
