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Floral Arrangements and Funerals: The Hidden Meanings of Flower Types

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Floral Arrangements and Funerals: The Hidden Meanings of Flower Types

For my mother's funeral, my sister and I spent a lot of time thinking about flowers for her funeral. We wanted beautiful, colorful flowers that reflected upon her energetic spirit and her love of bright, bold color. However, when we began to plan out her funeral with the funeral director, we were surprised to learn that different types of flowers had different meanings. Based on their meanings, some were appropriate for a funeral, and others were not. We had no idea about this, but I instantly became fascinated with the topic. I created this website to help educate others about the meanings of flowers and which are appropriate for funerals.

Design A Meaningful Headstone Without Religious Iconography

14 June 2016
 Categories: , Blog

Headstones are often decorated with religious symbols like angels and crosses or include an inspirational Biblical phrase. This is a sign of respect to the departed as well as a source of comfort for those who visit the grave. However, not everyone is a believer and some who do believe in an afterlife or a greater power prefer not to have religion in their lives. Designing a basic stone is possible, but many families want more for their loved one than a headstone that includes only a name and dates. Here are some ideas for creating a non-religious, meaningful marker that expresses who the person really was in life. 

Consider a Photo

Photographs of the individual are a lovely way to personalize any headstone. The photo is created in a couple of ways. With one, a laser etching inlay engraves their likeness directly onto the stone. Dark and smooth stones provide a better surface for this type of work. Another option is to have a photo printed on a porcelain ceramic tile and applied to the headstone. This makes it possible to have the exact image in full color or black and white and have it inlaid permanently into the stone. It is even possible for family members to purchase the tiles after the headstone is in place and attach them to the stone by themselves. 

Add a Quote

Meaningful words are not always borrowed from the Bible, but can come from a number of sources. You can include a few lines from their favorite song, a passage from a poem the person appreciated or any quote that meant something to the person or reflects who they were in life. Consider a little Shakespeare,"All the world's a stage and the men and women merely players." Or, maybe some Irving Berlin, "The song is ended but the melody lingers on." Many family members will appreciate seeing the actual words of the person they have lost. Using a common saying or phrase they personally were known for is a great way to keep their memory alive.  

Include Their Interests

Not everyone appreciates having their likeness or that of their loved one on a stone in a cemetery. In order to embellish stones with more than words, consider adding etched images that represent their hobbies and interests. Use a nature theme for an avid hunter or fisherman or a palette and paintbrushes for an artist. Add the logos or the insignia of organizations they were members of or military emblems and an American flag if they were in the service. 

Designing a headstone after the loss of a loved one can seem overwhelming with the options that are available. However, the numerous options are what makes it possible to custom-design something wonderful. With just a little thought, it is easy to remember who they were, what they loved and what had meaning for them. With that knowledge and a talented layout designer and stone etcher or engraver everyone can have the memorial that honors them completely. Contact a company like http://pemibakermemorials.com to get started today.