The Language of Flowers: Memorial Flowers - What They Mean And Why Preserve Them

Flowers have long been used to express emotions that words cannot fully capture. In times of loss, they become a language of their own—offering comfort, paying tribute, and honouring memories. A single bloom placed at a funeral, or a beautifully arranged spray on a casket, a posy placed around an urn, each can hold layers of meaning.

Why Are Flowers a Part of Memorials?

In grief, they serve several purposes:

• Comfort and peace: Soft, delicate blooms provide a sense of calm and serenity in moments of deep sadness.

• Expression of emotions: When words fail, flowers speak on our behalf; expressing sorrow, reverence, and remembrance.

• Tribute and honour: Specific blooms may be chosen to reflect the personality, spirit, or story of the person being remembered.

• Connection to tradition: Many cultures incorporate flowers into mourning rituals as symbols of renewal, purity, or eternal life.

Each Bloom can be Deeply Intentional and Symbolic

Throughout history, flowers have played a powerful role in funerals and mourning rituals. Today, while most of us may not know the old meanings by heart, we still choose flowers that “feel right.” A favourite colour. A bloom the person loved. A soft, comforting palette. And those flowers become part of the memory—woven into the story of saying goodbye.

Here are some of the most used flowers in memorial arrangements, and what they traditionally represent:

• Lillies (especially white) - purity, the restored innocence of the soul after death

• Carnations (especially in pink) - admiration, remembrance, love of a mother

• Roses - white; reverence, innocence, red; love and grief, pink; gratitude and appreciation, yellow; friendship and remembrance

• Orchids - eternal love and beauty

Why People Choose to Preserve Funeral Flowers

Preserving funeral flowers isn’t about avoiding grief—it’s about honouring love. When we preserve flowers from a service, we’re capturing a small but powerful piece of that moment: the tenderness, the reflection, the honour paid to someone’s life.

A Beautiful Keepsake

In the days after a funeral, everything can feel fleeting. But preserved flowers offer a way to carry a part of that day forward. They bring a sense of stillness, reflection, and connection,  after the service has passed. For many, it becomes a cherished piece to display at home or to pass down. A physical reminder that while grief changes with time, the love never leaves.

Some people like to include a small note or photograph in the design. Others prefer just the flowers, preserved exactly as they were. There’s no right or wrong—only what feels meaningful to you.

The Memorial Flower Preservation Process

If you’re considering preserving memorial flowers, or simply want to understand more about what’s possible, I invite you to reach out. I’m always happy to guide you through the process.

At Cherished Blooms, the process is gentle and thoughtful. Flowers are dried carefully to maintain their colour and structure, then thoughtfully arranged into frames or domes.