Working as a funeral celebrant in both the UK and Australia, I’ve witnessed the powerful presence of flowers in so many farewells - and noticed how differently they show up in death rites.

Sometimes they’re extravagant, lavish displays.
Sometimes they’re a humble, home-grown posy.
Sometimes they’re a single stem.
Sometimes, they’re even a floral can of Guinness.
But always, there’s meaning - and an offering of beauty.

Across cultures and centuries, flowers have been part of how we grieve, honour, and remember. In Ancient Greece and Rome, herbs and wreaths were used to symbolise remembrance and eternal life. In Medieval Europe, fragrant blooms were laid with the dead to purify the air and mask the scent of death during wakes.

In many Asian cultures, chrysanthemums and marigolds continue to hold deep significance, marking both grief and the cycle of life. And within many First Nations and Indigenous communities, native plants are used not just for their beauty, but as a sacred connection to Country, spirit, and ancestral lineage.

Here in Australia, I love seeing more families choosing native blooms - waratahs, banksias, eucalyptus, gum nuts, wattle. There’s something deeply grounding about farewelling someone with the flowers of the land they lived on.

And while funeral flowers can sometimes come with a hefty price tag, I’ve also seen more families getting creative - inviting guests to bring a posy from their own gardens. The results? Often more moving and stunning than even the most polished florist arrangement. Each stem carries a story. Each petal, a personal touch.

Because at the heart of it, flowers in funerals aren’t just for show - they’re an honouring - and an offering of love, beauty and connection.