In the 1800s, the language of flowers, also known as "floriography," held profound significance, and this symbolism extended to funeral flowers as well. These floral arrangements were not just displays of condolence, but rather, carefully chosen collections that expressed certain emotions, sentiments, or messages about the deceased. White lilies, known to symbolize the restored innocence of the soul of the deceased, were commonly used. Red roses signified respect, love, and courage, while pink roses indicated grace, happiness, and gentleness. Calla lilies, symbolizing beauty and marriage, were often used in the funerals of younger people, suggesting the tragic cut-off of a life in its prime.
Funeral flowers during this era were also chosen based on the
relationship with the deceased. For instance, chrysanthemums were associated
with death and were often used in funerals and graves in many European
countries. Forget-me-nots, symbolizing true love and memories, were presented
by someone who had a close, personal relationship with the deceased. In
contrast, the amaranth flower, symbolizing immortality, was used to express the
belief that the deceased's spirit would live on. these
carefully curated funeral flower arrangements provided a unique, though silent,
form of communication, conveying deep messages of loss, remembrance, and
enduring connection.
check out the PCA website at azhistcemeteries.org
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