Leaving flowers at the grave or memorial site for somebody who has passed away is something many of us feel the need to do. However, we want to make sure we do it in a way that will properly reflect upon, and honor, the life of our late loved one. This sometimes makes it difficult to choose just the right flowers. Should the flowers be bright and festive, or should they be more subtle and understated? Should we buy a wreath, a bouquet, a pillow, or a spray? How many flowers should we place on the grave?
All of these questions really boil down to what your instincts tell you to do. There is no right or wrong. However, we'd like to give you some general thoughts that might help you follow your instincts to the perfect graveside flowers.
Flower Meanings
Flowers carry a lot of symbolism, which is very important for remembrances. Listed below are some of the artificial silk flowers we sell here, and what each one symbolizes:
- Rose (red) - Passionate love
- Rose (pink) - Friendship
- Rose (yellow) - Zealous
- Rose (white) - Purity
- Poppy - Consolation - Also symbolic for veterans
- Calla Lily - Marriage and fidelity
- Sunflower - Adoration
- Peony - Healing
- Zinnia - Thoughts of friends
- Daisy - Innocence
- Hydrangea - Perseverance
- Gladiola - Strength of character
- Carnation (red) - Flashy
- Carnation (pink) - Gratitude
- Carnation (white) - Remembrance
- Larkspur - Beautiful spirit
- Orchid - Delicate beauty
More Symbolism
Wreaths are customary at funerals as symbols of life, death and the immortality of the soul. A wreath may be used at a grave site as a symbol of hope that the spirit as moved on and surpassed the death of the body.
Final Thoughts
When choosing flowers to leave at a grave, let your heart be your guide. If your memories of the deceased make you think of a field of daisies, leave a bouquet of daisies. If you have a special memory of the person where a vase of roses was present, leave a vase of roses. In these situations, more often than not, your heart will lead you in the right direction.
18 comments
If a double headstone has vases on each side for flowers and only one of the couple has passed, do you put flowers on both sides or just the side of the deceased?
My name is Samantha and I have recently lost my fiancé on the 25th, we have four beautiful babies together, if you can please help me with what flowers would be great for him I’d really appreciate it thank you.
Our granddaughter was stillborn last year. It will be coming up on a year and was wondering what type of flower to leave at the gravesite. Any suggestions?
Alex,
It would vary depending upon the age of your sibling when they passed away. Were they an infant, a child, a teenager, or an adult?
If they were older, I would think about what your younger sibling might like. What were their favorite colors, what was their personality like, etc.
If they were younger, I would look for arrangements designed to honor infants.
What sort of flowers would you recommend for a younger sibling’s grave? I’ve never left flowers on a grave before and I wouldn’t want to leave ones that seem inappropriate for this kind of grave in particular. I’d appreciate some feedback because I’m really not sure.