Floral arrangements are one of the most important funeral elements. Not only do they help personalize the service, they also bring a deeper meaning to remembering a loved one and their individuality.

Flowers can represent love, remembrance, sadness, strength, and many other emotions. Families want the flowers they choose to reflect their loved one and honor their memories.

Flower types and colors all have different meanings that may influence a decision when choosing funeral floral arrangements.

There are many flower types and colors that can make that decision very overwhelming. One factor that may help when choosing funeral flowers is knowing the meaning of different flower colors and types.

Below are the different flower colors and the meanings behind them:

• Red: Strength, respect, devotion and love
• Orange: Enthusiasm, joy and warmth
• Yellow: Friendship, warmth and hope
• Green: Nature, wellness and renewal
• Blue: Sadness, empathy and peace
• Purple: Respect, sorrow, sympathy and admiration
• Pink: Grace, compassion and innocence
• White: Elegance, reverence, purity and eternal love

In addition to the color of the arrangement, the type of flower can have additional meaning as well. These are some flower types that are commonly used for funeral floral arrangements and the meanings behind them:

• Alstroemeria: Devotion and friendship
• Baby's Breath: Eternal love and innocence
• Carnations:
  • Red - Admiration and love
  • Pink - Remembrance
  • White - Innocence and love
  • All colors - Sympathy and grief
• Chrysanthemums: Peace, hope, and grief
• Daises: Peace and hope
• Daffodils: Renewal and fresh starts
• Gladiolus: Strength, courage, and sincerity
• Goldenrod: Encouragement and growth
• Iris: Courage, faith, hope, and wisdom
• Hydrangea: Sincerity and understanding
• Larkspur: Lightness and love
• Lavender: Grace, purity, and devotion
• Asters: Love, patience, and elegance
• Lilies:
  • White - Peace and hope
  • All colors - Innocence, grief, and sympathy
• Orchids: Peace, hope, courage, and love
• Roses:
  • Red - Love, respect, and courage
  • Pink - Love, grace, and appreciation
  • White - Reverence, innocence, peace, and hope
  • Dark crimson - Grief and sorrow
• Snapdragons: Graciousness and strength
• Stock: Beauty and affection
• Sunflowers: Warmth and adoration
• Sweet William: Courage and perfection
• Tulips: Love, peace, and hope

There are many different funeral floral arrangement types that your family can choose from. The floral arrangement type can further help convey meaning and add more personalization to a loved one's service. With all the assorted colors, flower types, and floral arrangement styles, you can choose truly unique flowers to honor a loved one.

• Baskets - These floral arrangements include a variety of complementary flowers and plants combined into a beautiful basket.
• Plants - Plants typically come in a basket or pot with soil, so families can keep them or plant them after the funeral service.
• Vase arrangements - These all include a selection of flowers and plants in a vase to create a meaningful floral arrangement.
• Wreaths - Funeral wreaths can be circular, heart-shaped, cross-shaped, or another uniquely-designed shape.
• Standing sprays - These all include an arrangement of flowers and plants made to rest on a stand.
• Casket sprays - They rest on top of the casket and can come in a variety of sizes.
• Urn floral arrangements - The design of floral arrangements allows for an urn to rest in the middle.
• Picture frame-based floral arrangements – The design of these floral arrangements allows for a picture frame of the deceased to rest in the middle.

If a family has a specific funeral theme, such as their loved one's profession or favorite hobby, floral arrangements may match that theme and add more personalization and uniqueness.

For example, if there's a color scheme, then that makes choosing the floral arrangements a bit easier. Themes may be related to professions, hobbies, a season, and other topics - use your imagination when choosing floral arrangements to fit with a specific funeral theme when applicable. The opportunities are endless when creating unique memorial displays of a loved one's life.

Flower types have different lifespans after being cut. Below are some of their lifespans after being cut:

• Tulips: Three to seven days
• Daisies: Four to seven days
• Snapdragons: Five to eight days
• Roses: Four to 12 days
• Lavender: Up to 10 days
• Orchids: One to two weeks
• Carnations: Up to two weeks