Sympathy Flowers: What Colors Are Proper?

Funeral floral arrangements aren't all comprised of dark and depressing flowers, as you might expect. It is actually proper to send flowers of any color to express sympathy.

But some colors and flowers are more recognized as appropriate for expressions of sympathy than others, traditionally, according to the Flower Society: Roses. And some rose colors are preferred over others, such as light pink or orange roses.

Dendrobium Orchid

Dendrobium orchids, elegant flowers used often in sympathy arrangements, are available year round. These line flowers hail for South Pacific regions and Asia. The flowers are part of a dendrobium species genus that numbers 1,000.

Magenta and white blooms lend an air of quiet dignity to funeral sprays and other death arrangements. The dendrobium orchids can live up to 14 days from the date the cut flower arrangement is made.

Orchids are a more fragile flower for use in sympathy arrangements if they are going to need to travel quite a distance to reach their intended destination. But the effort would be worth it, since this flower's prominent reputation speaks to the respect you are paying by sending it.

Peach Rose

Peach roses can signify sympathy. Roses first made their way from Asia to Europe in the 16th century; their ability to bloom repeatedly throughout the season no doubt playing a role in their inclusion in expressions of sympathy.

But florists creating sympathy sprays or other floral arrangements opt for larger flowers like roses in order to create more dramatic tributes to the one who has passed. And the peach color is soft enough in color to lend an air of elegance to the somber occasion, yet colorful enough not to send the message that all hope is gone.

Light Pink Roses

Light pink roses are used to show sympathy as well as feelings of admiration, traditionally. They would be sent as an expression of sympathy to someone whom had earned your respect and trust. Larger light pink roses would be incorporated into floral arrangements going to a funeral home or grave site, but smaller roses in this color would be used in baskets and arrangements being sent to the home of the deceased's family.

Light pink roses would be a fitting and appropriate flower for that of a child as well, with the color often associated with baby and young girls and the innocence they exude. But any flower color is appropriate for use as a sympathy flower.

Source
Flower Possibilities: Dendrobium orchid
Flower Society: Flower Color Meanings
Teleflora: Sympathy Flowers - Are there certain types of sympathy flowers not appropriate?