Flowers have been used for centuries as a way to share our condolences and pay our respects when a loved one passes. In some cases, someone might visit a cemetery and leave their loved one’s favorite flowers on their gravesite. But in other cases, a person might choose a specific type of flower because it conveys the sentiment they want to share. Every kind of flower has a symbolic meaning behind it. Let’s take a look at some of the most common cemetery flowers and what they mean.
8 Types of Flowers You See in a Cemetery
Calla lily
Calla lilies come in multiple colors, but you’ll often see white for funerals and burials. They symbolize faith and purity.
Camellia
Camellias are typically white, pink, or red. Placing these flowers in a cemetery says that you love and are devoted to the person who passed.
Daffodil
Daffodils are usually white or yellow, but each color has a different meaning. A yellow daffodil symbolizes joy, so it’s more fitting to use white for a cemetery, which means purity or innocence.
Forget-me-not
As the name suggests, forget-me-nots symbolize remembrance. These powder blue flowers remind us of our connection to our loved ones who are no longer with us.
Hyacinth
Hyacinths can come in a variety of colors, each with its own deep meaning. A purple hyacinth stands for regret and sorrow, a way to ask forgiveness. Blue hyacinths mean sincerity, while white hyacinths symbolize purity and loveliness.
Hydrangea
Like hyacinths, hydrangeas come in various colors, with each one symbolizing a different meaning. White hydrangeas mean purity, honor, and innocence, while blue stands for serenity and gratitude. Pink symbolizes thoughtfulness and grace.
Marigold
Marigolds mean grief and remembrance. They are commonly associated with the Day of the Dead festivities, in which families offer marigolds at the gravesites of the loved ones who have passed on.
Poppy
Poppies are another flower of remembrance, but they are most commonly associated with the remembrance of World War I.
How to Place Flowers on a Gravesite
If you plan on bringing flowers to your loved one in a cemetery, be sure you are familiar with the cemetery’s rules before placing them on the gravesite. Some cemeteries only accept real flowers, while others allow both real and artificial flowers. If you bring real flowers, it’s important to understand that these flowers will wilt over time. If you do not remove these flowers before they wilt, the cemetery caretakers will do so to ensure that the gravesite and overall cemetery grounds are kept clean and beautiful.