Flowers hold deep symbolic meaning and play a significant role in farewells. Funeral flowers convey love, comfort, strength, and hope. By choosing sustainable and eco-friendly options, you also show care for the planet.
Funeral flowers with a symbolic meaning
White symbolizes respect, red roses and marigolds represent love, and chrysanthemums are a symbol of immortality. A funeral arrangement or the gesture of bringing a single flower to a service is a tribute to the deceased and a sign of sympathy. Lilies are often chosen because they represent hope and the eternal place someone holds in your heart. Dahlias are also common at funerals, symbolizing strength. A funeral centered around the deceased’s favorite flower can have a beautiful impact when it appears repeatedly: on the memorial card, in the floral arrangements, and in the hands of the mourners..
Sustainable funeral flowers
Organic flowers from local fields are the most sustainable choice for funeral arrangements. Traditional funeral flowers have a significant environmental impact. Greenhouse heating, artificial lighting, and especially the long-distance transportation of flowers contribute to a large CO2 footprint. Additionally, the use of excessive water and pesticides harms the environment. Look for certifications to ensure that fertilizers and water have been used sustainably and that flower growers work under fair conditions. If you’d rather avoid funeral flowers, there are several eco-friendly alternatives to beautifully adorn a memorial service.
Eco-friendly funeral arrangements
More and more people are choosing to say goodbye in a natural way. Traditional funerals often end with an abundance of flowers that are discarded after the ceremony. By selecting a few loose, organic seasonal blooms, you can avoid waste. Every month, something beautiful and fitting is in season. For example, amaryllis blooms naturally in January, carnations and tulips in April, and lilies are in bloom from June to September. Another option is to use flowers from your own garden or, if that’s not possible, pick them yourself from a flower-picking garden. Dried flowers are also a sustainable choice. They provide a charming, subtle decoration during the ceremony and can serve as lasting mementos at home. Instead of flowers, ornamental grasses and twisted branches in a large vase create stunning, eco-friendly arrangements. A wreath made of branches and leaves—particularly striking in the fall—is another beautiful option. In other seasons, mosses add a colorful, natural touch. Consider who the deceased was and what would honor them. There’s always an eco-friendly option to beautifully enhance the ceremony.
Become one with nature
Looking for a meaningful way to honor the deceased naturally? Plant a tree and be remembered forever. A memory tree is a tangible tribute that begins a new life cycle. From beech to butterfly bush, and ornamental cherry to lilac—almost any tree or shrub can be used as a memory tree. The location is flexible too. You can choose a cemetery, a nature reserve, a park, or even your own garden—especially meaningful when paired with the Loop EarthRise™. This unique urn features a lid with a hollow space where a plant can be placed. When buried in the garden, the EarthRise™ enriches the surrounding nature, providing enough nutrients for the plant to thrive. You can plant the EarthRise™ with a plant in the garden, or keep it as an ornament by displaying it in your home. By planting a tree, you create a living, growing memory. In this way, life and death are intertwined—part of the natural cycle as intended by Mother Earth.
Please note that each country has different rules and guidelines for planting an urn in your garden or communal space.
Want to read more about creating a beautiful and personal funeral? Check out this blog on music for an unforgettable ceremony.