Longacres Garden Centre Limited

London Road, Bagshot

Surrey , GU19 5JB

United Kingdom

01276476778

info@longacres.co.uk

Flores De Los Muertos:

Flowers in Funeral

Traditions

Response to death and grief varies with respect to geography and culture. There

have been several reports on the different stages of grief and these have been both

repeatedly cited and debunked. No two people grieve in exactly the same way, but

there are rites and customs that remain universal and significant.

Flowers, for example, play a key role in a number of funeral rites and cultures. The

relevance of flowers in the grieving process goes a long way and had strong ties

with Greek mythology and European folklore.

Poppies

Poppies made numerous appearances in ancient Europe’s funerary context. It has

appeared on tombs, on artistic depictions of gods and goddesses, and funeral arts.

Droopy poppy-seed capsules are attributed to an abundant second life, due to its

overabundance of seeds, like pomegranates. It also sometimes evokes the

netherworld.

The flower’s strong perfume is also said to elicit either forgetfulness or a relief in pain.

Poppies were also considered somniferous. They were intended to bring rest and, as

Hamlet said: ‘To sleep, perchance to dream’.

Forget-me-nots

Forget-me-nots meant a great deal in German folklore. During the 15th century, the

wearer of this flower was said to never be forgotten by their lovers.

Legend has it that in medieval times, a knight and his lady were walking along the

side of a river. He picked a posy of flowers, but accidentally fell into the river. As he

was drowning, he threw the posy to his loved one and shouted “forget me not”.

Since then, it was often worn by ladies as a sign of faithfulness and enduring love.

Also known a Myosotis, this flower is usually related to funeral traditions because of

this story. It gives the bereaved the comfort that they will not forget their loved one

who died, and that the dead will also forever remember them as well.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums or sometimes called mums, are native in North-eastern Europe.

It is strongly associated with death and funeral traditions because of its extensive

use on graves. During the beginning of the tradition of All Souls’ Day or Le Jour

des Morts in France, families adorn the graves of their loved ones with the cheery

colours of chrysanthemums. Their variety of colours belies their sombre

symbolism in French culture.

These are also considered a symbol of immortality, as it can survive through the

winter frost with very little care.

The role of flowers in sombre events is considered casual on its onset, but when

given more attention and care, can turn a grieving person to one who radiates the

soft glow of being loved. In a recent study on the effect of flowers in the grieving

process, 82% of the bereaved agreed or strongly agreed with the statement

“sending flowers is a way I show someone I care.”

The giving of flowers symbolises the love, care, and concern for the survivors,

whatever type of flower you may choose and however way it should be arranged.

Sources:

http://www.longacres.co.uk/

http://www.inlieuofflowers.info/index.php?s=2

https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/12%20Jannot-pp.pdf