What flowers to offer in case of a bereavement?

What flowers to give to the bereaved or for the funeral? Do they have to be necessarily white? Are there typical funeral flowers? And what about other religions? Find out more here.

Flowers that tell stories

Flowers tell a person's story and place that person center stage. It is therefore important that you should think about the departed and consider the kind of person they were.

Tell the florist your thoughts about the departed, perhaps with regard to their hobbies or particular likes and dislikes, favourite colors and flowers, etc. In this way, try to create a mix of flowers that best embody the character of the departed.

Flowers for persons who were joyful or thoughtful

For example, if they loved dancing, joyful and vibrant flowers might be just right. If, on the other hand, they were of a more reticent and thoughtful nature, perhaps delicate shades of lilac or cream and white would be more appropriate.

Possibly they had favorite flowers or colors. Perhaps you might like to choose a single flower that you can place in the grave at the end of the ceremony.

Flowers for the funeral

Wreaths, floral bowls, bouquets and floral arrangements are good for graves. Some (e.g. wreath, heart-shaped flower arrangement) are very labor-intensive and must therefore be ordered in good time (delivery deadline). Here is an overview:

Wreaths: they are available with more or less flowers. They are delivered directly to the place where the funeral is being held on the day of burial.
Floral tributes, outdoor bowls and coffin decorations: they are delivered directly to the place where the funeral is being held on the day of burial.
Bouquet as burial gift: this is often a less expensive alternative to a wreath. Just as with the other decorative flowers, it can be positioned in front of or next to the coffin / urn and placed on the grave after the burial.

Flowers and gift cards for the bereaved

The bereaved are given a flower arrangement or a condolence bouquet. These are a sign of sympathy. They can be ordered from your local Fleurop florist or via www.fleurop.ch and delivered to the home of the bereaved.

Gift cards for flowers and plants are also a good option. They allow the bereaved to choose when to receive flowers or plants.

You can buy gift cards locally from your Fleurop florist or order them via www.fleurop.ch.

Funeral ribbons or ribbons for the wreath

If you would like to decorate your wreath, outdoor bowl or flower arrangement with a few words and your name, this is possible by means of a ribbon. Generally, the left side of the ribbon is used for the words of condolence and the right side for the name.

There is a vast selection of ribbons. Not only are there different widths, but also different colors for the ribbon and the text as well as a choice of fonts. In addition, there is a choice between computer-printed and embossed ribbons (in gold and silver).

Please feel free to consult our team: Tel. 044 751 82 82. Here you’ll find suitable words.

Exclusively white flowers - or colorful ones too?

Whether as comfort for the bereaved or for the funeral, the flowers do not necessarily have to be white.

If necessary, take into account the religion of the deceased / the bereaved when choosing the color of the flowers (see last section on this page). However, white flowers are still often associated with mourning, not only in our country.

Because white symbolizes light, faith, peace, beginning and end, resurrection and silence.

Symbolism of typical funeral flowers and the wreath

Here are the most typical funeral flowers and their symbolism:

Calla: immortality
Chrysanthemums: loyalty, pure love and friendship
Dahlias: gratitude and compassion
Gerbera: friendship and light
Hydrangea: gratitude
Lilies: transience
Lisianthus: appreciation
Carnations: friendship and loyalty
Orchids: friendship
Roses: love, affection and loyalty (red roses are rather reserved for people who were very close to the departed)

The wreath is also very symbolic. Since it is without beginning or end, it represents Eternal Life and is considered a symbol of hope.

Funerals in the different world religions

Here is some info if you are invited to the funeral of a person from another religious community:

Christianity: flowers for burial and bereavement may be of any color (no wreaths for Jehovah's Witnesses). White and pastel colors are preferred.
Buddhism: flowers for the bereaved are not usual, but always accepted as an offering (except flowers with thorns).
Hinduism: the ceremony is mainly associated with wreaths of flowers in white, red and yellow. But bouquets and single flowers are also acceptable.
Islam: Wreaths and bouquets are usual for burial, but just with white flowers.
Judaism: mourners often bring a small stone with which the grave is decorated. No plants or flowers are offered as decoration for the grave or for the bereaved by the mourners.