Losing a loved one has to be one of life’s most difficult experiences. Whilst there is little that can be done to ease the pain and grief for someone who has recently lost someone, sympathy flowers have used as an embodiment of condolences. However, giving funeral flowers as sympathy gifts is not a straightforward matter. The types and colours of flowers send poignant messages to the recipient, and the last thing you’d want to do is make the wrong choice and possibly offend the mourning family.
When choosing the right funeral flowers, you’ll want to start by referring to the funeral traditions and rituals. In the context of Buddhist funeral services, choosing the right funeral flower is crucial. If you’re considering sending sympathy flowers to someone, here are a few things you’ll want to take note of before choosing a floral arrangement.
1. Colour of Flowers
Even if you’re not well-versed in the symbolic language of flowers, you’re probably aware that each colour carries varied meaning. In Buddhism, the go-to condolence flowers are in the colour of white and yellow. Apart from purity, white flowers also symbolises emancipation – that is, being freed from this lifetime to welcome reincarnation or enlightenment. Similarly, yellow flowers also represent the soul’s journey towards enlightenment.
If there is one colour that you need to avoid at all costs, it’s red. In Buddhism, the colour red represents joy and celebration – sentiments that are incongruous with death, grieve and funerals.
If you don’t wish to offer a monocolour floral arrangement, stick to muted colours as a respectful indication of grief and consolation.
2. Types of flowers
Apart from colour, you’ll want to pay attention to the type of flowers to include in the floral arrangement. At most Buddhist funerals, people would often choose chrysanthemums, lilies and lotuses as their sympathy flowers as they represent peace, purity and freedom. Other acceptable funeral flowers include carnations and orchids.
3. How to arrange them
Now that you have the flowers, the next task is to arrange them! Usually, wreaths or sprays are the most common types of flower arrangements at Singapore funeral. With most florists, you can display a message on the arrangement. You can opt for ‘Condolences’ or ‘Deepest Sympathy’, or write a personalised message if you wish to. Be sure to include the names of those who have contributed on the card – within reason.
Conclusion
Flowers are a common sympathy gift that offers the grieving family a sense of comfort and solace – which is why it’s all the more important to choose them wisely. When in doubt, you can always consult a funeral company for advice. Otherwise, you can also seek assistance from your florists, as they are most likely to know the conventions for condolence gifting.
Of course, condolences gifts don’t limit themselves to just flowers. You can offer cash donations, gift baskets and the like. If you’re having trouble trying to find an appropriate sympathy gift, Ang Brothers Funeral Services Singapore is here to help. We offer an extensive range of funeral services and packages to help bereaved families during this difficult time. If you require guidance and arrangements, simply contact us and we’ll walk you through every step.
