Roses have long been a symbol of love, friendship, sympathy, and condolences. The color of a rose can convey different meanings, so when choosing roses to express sympathy after a loss, the color you select is important.
Meaning of Different Rose Colors
Here are the most common rose color meanings:
- Red roses symbolize romance, passion, and enduring love.
- White roses represent purity, innocence, reverence, and humility.
- Pink roses convey gentleness, joy, happiness, and admiration.
- Yellow roses signify friendship, joy, and care.
- Orange roses express enthusiasm, passion, and desire.
- Lavender roses indicate enchantment, majesty, fascination, and splendor.
- Blue roses (which are often dyed) represent the unattainable or impossible.
- Black roses symbolize farewell, death, and sorrow.
Rose Color Meanings for Sympathy and Condolences
When selecting roses to send as condolences or for a funeral arrangement, stick with colors that represent grief, respect, and solemnity rather than romance or friendship. The two most appropriate rose colors are:
- White roses – White roses are the traditional funeral flower. They symbolize pureness, innocence, and spirituality, which makes them appropriate for memorial services and condolences after a loss.
- Dark crimson roses – Sometimes called black roses, dark crimson roses represent grief and sorrow. They are a classicsympathy rose color.
Avoid brighter colors like red, yellow, pink, and orange that convey romance, passion, and happiness. Lavender and blue roses are also unsuitable for condolences as their meanings are more whimsical.
Use of Roses for Condolences
Here are some tips for using roses to express sympathy:
- Send a bouquet of white roses or dark crimson roses to the home of the deceased’s family.
- Place a simple arrangement of white or dark crimson roses on the casket at a wake or funeral.
- Bring a single white or dark crimson rose to place on the casket or grave at the burial.
- For a large sympathy wreath or spray, use mostly white roses accented with small touches of darker roses.
- Include a note card with a message of condolence when sending roses.
Roses can also be used when visiting the home of a grieving family or friend. Bringing a living rose plant, rose bush, or bouquet of roses is a thoughtful way to pay respects and offer comfort. Place the roses in a visible spot so the fragrance and beauty fill the home.
Meaningful Rose Arrangements and Wreaths
Here are some rose arrangement ideas perfect for expressing sympathy:
- All white roses – An all-white rose wreath, casket spray, or bouquet offers classic elegance and purity.
- White and crimson roses – Mixing white and dark crimson red roses makes a meaningful arrangement that unites purity and sorrow.
- Roses with carnations – Pairing white roses with white carnations is a traditional and affordable funeral flower combination.
- Roses with lilies – For a dramatic bouquet or arrangement, combine white roses and Calla lilies.
- Roses with orchids – The sophisticated look of white Cymbidium orchids complements funeral sprays and wreaths accented with red or white roses.
- Roses with greenery – Ferns, ivy, and other greenery fill out arrangements and give an organic feel.
Ask your florist for advice putting together funeral and sympathy designs featuring roses that will be meaningful for the situation. Some arrangements to consider are standing sprays, wreaths, casket corsages, heart-shaped bouquets, and vases.
Ordering Sympathy Roses and Arrangements
When a loss occurs, ordering flowers can be overwhelming. Take the guesswork out of which roses and arrangements to order by considering these tips:
- Choose a reputable local florist rather than an online service to ensure fresh, high-quality flowers are delivered in a timely manner.
- If you don’t know the deceased’s favorite flower, opt for the traditional white roses.
- Select a standing funeral spray or wreath to be delivered to the service if you can’t attend in person.
- For a home delivery, choose a classic white rose bouquet in a vase or basket.
- Add a meaningful note card expressing your condolences.
- Time the delivery so roses arrive 1-2 days before the service or before family starts visiting the home.
Work with your florist on what tribute feels right for your relationship to the deceased. They can guide you in selecting the perfect funeral or sympathy roses to convey your message of love and respect.
Preserving Sympathy Roses
After a funeral or memorial service, families often want to preserve the memory of sympathy floral tributes. Here are some tips for preserving roses:
- Press roses – Place roses between sheets of wax paper weighted down by heavy books. Once dried, store the pressed roses in a picture frame or glass case.
- Dry roses – Hang rose bouquets upside down to air dry, then spray them with hairspray or acrylic spray to preserve the flowers.
- Freeze roses – Place roses in silica gel or a container of water, freeze, then display in a vase.
- Potpourri – Mix dried rose petals with fragrant oils and place in bowls, jars, and sachet bags.
Keeping sympathy roses transforms memories of loss into enduring symbols of those remembered. Place potpourri bags around photographs or frame pressed flowers to help cherish loved ones.
Conclusion
Roses offer a meaningful, timeless way to express condolences and sympathy. Sending white roses or dark crimson roses communicates respect, reverence, and solemnity. When attending a funeral or memorial service, place a single rose on the casket to symbolize your love. Adding roses to funeral sprays and wreaths creates classic, elegant tributes full of poignant beauty and fragrance. Let roses remind grieving families and friends that the spirit of those they have lost lives on.
| Rose Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| White | Purity, innocence, reverence |
| Dark Crimson | Grief, sorrow |
