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Flowers are very important in Filipino society, especially when someone has died and you want to show your sorrow and respect. In the Philippines, burial flowers are carefully picked out, and each arrangement carries a message of love and respect for the person who died and their family. This article talks about the best flower arrangement for funeral, including both traditional and modern styles. It also gives advice on how to choose the right flower memorial that fits Filipino culture and values.
Traditional Flower Arrangements: Honoring Cultural Values
In the Philippines, traditional flower designs for funerals are very important because they honor the traditions of Filipino funerals. Usually, the colors and flowers in these designs stand for honor, peace, and purity.
- White Roses and Lilies: White roses and lilies are always a good choice in Filipino memorial bouquets. Lilies represent the soul’s return to youth and peace, while white roses stand for purity and respect. These flowers are often put together in bouquets or standing sprays to make a beautiful and peaceful memorial that is perfect for paying respects to the dead in a meaningful way.
- Chrysanthemum Wreaths: Chrysanthemums, especially white ones, are often used at Filipino wakes to show love, loyalty, and memory. When put together in an arrangement, chrysanthemums are both beautiful and long-lasting. Usually, these flowers are put near the coffin or the door to the wake to show how much people love and remember the person who died.
- Sampaguita Garlands: The Philippines’ national flower, the sampaguita, has a deep cultural meaning for the people who live there. Sampaguita bouquets with small, fragrant white flowers are often put around the coffin or as part of traditional wreaths to show that the person who died was pure and simple. Especially at traditional Catholic and Filipino wakes, these flowers add a touch of culture to the burial service.
Standing Sprays: Creating a Focal Tribute
Standing sprays are one of the most noticeable flower designs at Filipino funerals. If you put these tall, fan-shaped arrangements on a board, they make a great centerpiece for a big event.
- Orchid and Lily Standing Sprays: Filipinos often choose orchids for funerals because they last long and are a sign of love and strength that will never end. When put together with flowers, these standing sprays make a classy look that stands for peace and memory. In the Philippines, white and purple flowers are very famous. They make the service look more elegant.
- Chrysanthemum and Rose Sprays: Rose and chrysanthemum sprays are a great choice for families who want a more classic design. Chrysanthemums stand for love and loyalty, while white roses add a touch of classic grace. This mix can be changed to fit the style of the person who died, making a beautiful and thoughtful show.
Casket Sprays: Personal Tributes from Family
Casket sprays are flower arrangements that are meant to be put directly on top of the coffin to show how close the person who died was to their family. Some family members choose these sprays, often including the loved one’s favorite flowers or colors.
- Mixed Floral Casket Sprays: A unique and rich coffin spray is made from a mix of flowers like lilies, roses, orchids, and daisies. Like white lilies for purity, red roses for love, and carnations for friendship, each flower can mean something different. Filipino families often choose a mix of these flowers to show how unique the person who died was.
- All-White Casket Sprays: All-white casket sprays are a beautiful choice for people who want a classic and simple look. With their beautiful white roses, lilies, and chrysanthemums, these designs are classy and send a message of peace and respect. This is a usual choice for many Filipino Catholic wakes and makes for a serious but peaceful tribute.
Cross and Heart-Shaped Arrangements: Symbolic Tributes
Symbolic shapes like crosses and hearts are also popular in Filipino funeral arrangements, as they convey messages of faith, love, and remembrance.
- Cross Arrangements: Filipino Catholic wakes often have cross-shaped flowers as a sign of faith, hope, and the future. These flower crosses are often made with white lilies or chrysanthemums and decorated with greenery. They are put next to the coffin or at the church altar as a powerful spiritual remembrance.
- Heart-Shaped Arrangements: Heart-shaped flowers are a sweet way to show love and remember someone. These kinds of designs often have red roses in them because they stand for deep love and devotion. This style is perfect for close family members or friends who want to show how much they loved and cared for the deceased person.
Vase Arrangements: Personal and Elegant Touches
A vase arrangement is flexible; it can be put on a table next to the coffin or at the front door of the wake. These smaller, more personal displays are perfect for guests who want to show their sympathy in a simple but classy way.
- Orchids and Carnations in a Vase: Putting flowers and roses in a box is a modern choice that is both elegant and strong. Orchids represent beauty that lasts, and flowers, which are also known for their durability, stand for love and respect. These arrangements give the place a calm feel without being too much.
- Mixed Floral Vases: A mixed floral box arrangement can have chrysanthemums, lilies, and sunflowers for people who want a bright splash of color to remember a happy life. These setups aren’t as standard, but they can be used by people who want to honor the life of the person who died instead of just being sad about their death.
Tips for Choosing the Right Funeral Arrangement in the Philippines
Choosing the right funeral arrangement requires thoughtful consideration. Here are some tips to guide you in making the best choice:
- Respect Cultural and Religious Traditions: When Filipino Catholics die, all-white designs with religious images like crosses may look best. If the person who died was of a different religion, you might want to ask family members for advice on any special flower choices.
- Consider the Personality of the Deceased: Personalizing funeral flowers with things that remind people of the person who died makes them more important. If they liked happy, bright colors, add sunflowers or colored roses. Stick to standard white and soft colors for a calmer tribute.
- Work with a Trusted Filipino Florist: Filipino flowers know about traditional practices and can help you make an arrangement that fits those practices. In Manila, places like Dangwa Flower Market make both traditional and modern funeral arrangements. They offer services like tailoring and same-day delivery in Metro Manila.
- Choose Long-Lasting Flowers for Extended Wakes: Filipino wakes can last several days, so picking flowers like roses, orchids, and chrysanthemums will keep the arrangements fresh.
Final Thoughts
Picking the perfect funeral arrangement is a touching way to show your respect, send your regrets, and honor the life of a loved one. Whether you pick a plant, a standing spray, or a personal coffin spray, each one is a chance to give a special life the respect and beauty it deserves. You can make a flower memorial that is strongly rooted in Filipino culture and helps people deal with their sadness by thinking about the message you want to send, the family’s tastes, and the cultural importance of the flower.
Funeral flowers are more than just a memory; they’re a gift that shows love, respect, and the hope that the soul of someone who was loved can rest in peace. With this Filipino florist’s help, you can now choose a beautiful flower that will honor the life and memory of a loved one.