What Kind of Flowers are Appropriate to Order for a Grave?

What Kind of Flowers are Appropriate to Order for a Grave?

What Kind of Flowers are Appropriate to Order for a Grave?

Long after the funeral takes place, it is customary to visit the grave of a loved one with decorations, flowers, gifts, and well wishes. These visits can happen during holidays or any time of the year—for many people, it is a chance to find peace and closure in the days, weeks, months, and even years after death occurs.

If you would like to bring a floral arrangement, you might be wondering what kind of flowers are appropriate to order for the gravesite. Although you will always want to check with the cemetery itself to find out what, if any, rules there are about floral decorations, here are the most common types.

  • Silk Flowers: It is fairly common for cemeteries to only allow silk flowers to be on display. Because cut flowers quickly wither, and potted plants need regular upkeep, they do not to hold up to the elements very well. To keep things looking neat and beautiful for all visitors, cemeteries request silk flowers instead. Although these flowers may fade over time, they retain a beautiful bloom for months at a time and stand up to the hardiest weather. When you purchase a special cemetery arrangement, most florists will also use specialized bouquets meant to go outside.
  • Holiday/Memorial Baskets: Holidays are common times for flowers at a cemetery, especially on Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, and fall and winter holidays. Cut flowers, basket arrangements, and flowers shaped in forms such as a cross are all popular during this time. Almost always, these purchases can be arranged through the cemetery, the attached funeral home, or the florist who serves the area. Many families even set up annual arrangements so that the display goes up automatically.
  • Seasonal Displays: If you would like flowers to be on display year-round, you might want to look into seasonal silk flower choices. These can be changed out every few months to take advantage of the season. Spring flowers are bright and vibrant, summer flowers often include a patriotic theme, autumn flowers match the brilliant reds and oranges of fall, and winter flowers can either be holiday-themed or look like a winter wonderland.
  • Cemetery Vase Arrangements: Some headstones come with a vase option (usually for a small additional charge). The vase is typically detachable or can be lifted/lowered depending on whether it is in use. Special arrangements from florists are designed to fit within these types of vases, and usually include blooms like roses, lilies, carnations, and other bereavement bouquets. Ask your florist what options they have to learn more.

Many families love the look of cemetery flowers but do not always find time to order and place them with every change of season. If this is the case, you can look into a regular rotation of arrangements. Many cemeteries and florists will work together to make sure the grave always looks perfect, for a monthly or seasonal fee.

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