Flowers for Chinese Funerals

As with cultures all over the world, the Chinese people have special customs for funeral services. Giving flowers in the event of a death is perfectly acceptable in Chinese culture; however, red flowers should never be sent for a funeral. White flowers are most often sent to family members of the deceased, and a white/yellow combination is very popular at a Chinese funeral. There are several types of flowers that are acceptable for Chinese funerals.

Yellow and white chrysanthemums are a popular flower arrangement in Chinese funerals. This flower comes in several different forms such as daisy-like, decorative, pompoms and buttons. They are a tropical Asian flower used often in this Asian culture.

One of the most popular flowers in the world, the rose comes in many variations and colors. Roses have been used in funerals as far back as ancient Egypt where they were made into wreaths, which is still a popular flower arrangement of today. In Chinese culture, the history of the rose goes as far back as Confucius when he said that the Imperial library was full of books on roses in the years 551 B.C. to 479 B.C.

The first historical evidence of the lily dates as far back as 1580 B.C. in Crete and is a flower of mythic proportions to the Greeks. This common funeral flower symbolizes the restoration of innocence after death. The white stargazer lily particularly represents sympathy for the grieving.