If the death anniversary of a relative, friend, or loved one is approaching, you may want to acknowledge it by sending a floral arrangement to their close loved ones. There are plenty of ways to acknowledge someone’s death anniversary, and sending flowers is one of them.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Is It OK to Send Flowers to a Loved One on a Death Anniversary?
- What Color Flowers Do People Send on a Death Anniversary?
- Flowers Fitting for a Death Anniversary Arrangement
- What Should You Write on a Note to Send With Death Anniversary Flowers?
Knowing which flowers to send is as simple as understanding which types of flowers and colors are traditionally used for purposes like this. Many of the same rules for funeral flower arrangements apply to death anniversary arrangements, making it simple and straightforward to choose a bouquet.
Is It OK to Send Flowers to a Loved One on a Death Anniversary?
Recognizing someone’s death anniversary is an important way to honor their memory, continue their legacy, and help their loved ones know that they’ve not been forgotten. While floral arrangements are often sent to acknowledge a death anniversary, sending sympathy plants has also grown in popularity.
Whether you want to acknowledge the first year, fifth year, or a 10-year death anniversary, sending a floral arrangement is perfectly acceptable. Sending flowers in honor of a deceased friend or relative lets the family know that their loved one hasn’t been forgotten. The act of kindness also contributes to keeping their memory alive and provides comfort and encouragement to the family.
What Color Flowers Do People Send on a Death Anniversary?
The color of flowers or floral bouquets that people send to acknowledge a death anniversary can vary widely depending on the person’s culture, how well the sender knew the deceased, and even the type of anniversary that is being commemorated. Here are some general rules to keep in mind.
First, the bouquet probably shouldn’t be crafted with overly bright, colorful, or cheerful flowers. Remember, you’re acknowledging the death of a loved one. These anniversaries generally are greeted with sobriety, tears, memories, and missing the person who is no longer there. The bouquet you send should be appropriate and fitting for this occasion.
Second, know which colors you should stay away from. This decision comes down to knowing which culture the person is from since cultures vary widely in their use of colors. For example, red is associated with happiness, joy, and celebrations in China. If the person you are sending a bouquet to is Chinese, you should definitely stay away from using red flowers in a death anniversary bouquet.
Third, consider customizing the bouquet instead of purchasing a generic arrangement if you knew the person well. Did the person particularly love yellow gerbera daisies? Perhaps their favorite flowers were pink roses or purple hydrangeas. Using their favorite flowers in a death anniversary bouquet is a simple but meaningful way to honor their memory.
As you see, the bouquet you choose largely depends on the degree of relationship you had with the person who passed and any applicable cultural norms. The more you can customize the bouquet to reflect the person’s individuality, the better. If you didn’t really know the person, it’s perfectly acceptable to purchase a generic floral arrangement that is crafted specifically for death anniversaries by a florist.
Flowers Fitting for a Death Anniversary Arrangement
If you’re wondering how to acknowledge a death anniversary and you’re not sure which flowers make a fitting death anniversary arrangement, choose from the flower options below. Many of these options are also fitting to send in a funeral flower arrangement.
1. White lilies
White lilies adorn most funeral flower arrangements, and they’re certainly fitting for a death anniversary arrangement, as well. These elegant flowers represent peace, dignity, and grace. They’re fitting to go in a floral arrangement that commemorates the death anniversary of anyone from a child to a grown adult.
2. White and pink daisies
Daisies are often used in bouquets for children, toddlers, and infants. These flowers are often associated with childhood, innocence, and the joy that children bring. White and light pink are both appropriate, as white represents innocence, and pink is associated with sympathy.
3. Roses
Roses have long been used in floral arrangements for a variety of purposes, from demonstrating commitment and love to friendship and strength. When incorporating roses into a death anniversary arrangement, colors will play a big part.
Do you want to represent friendship? Choose yellow roses. Are you looking to represent beauty and grace? Pink roses are appropriate for this. Do you want an arrangement that speaks to the person’s innocence or that they are resting in peace? White roses are the best option for sending this message.
4. Baby’s breath
Though baby’s breath isn’t traditionally used in funeral flower arrangements, the delicate flower is appropriate if acknowledging the death of a baby. The flower traditionally stands for undying love and innocence, a perfect combination to honor the life of a baby. Though their life might have been short, parents will forever carry a sense of undying love for their child within them.
5. Carnations
If you’re looking to DIY a flower arrangement, carnations are one flower you’ll find plenty of, whether you go to your local florist or the grocery store’s flower section. These are used in flower arrangements of all types, including funeral and death anniversary arrangements.
When choosing carnation colors, the same rules apply to this flower as to other flowers. White traditionally represents purity and innocence, yellow represents friendship, and pink represents remembrance and sorrow.
6. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, or mums, look a bit like daisies and come in a wide range of colors. In European cultures, these flowers are representative of death and are fitting for a death anniversary flower arrangement.
You can choose to add mums to a floral arrangement or send a potted arrangement of mums instead. Either is appropriate to honor a person’s death anniversary.
7. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas have a long history, and while many colors aren’t applicable, pink hydrangeas are associated with heartfelt emotions, love, and gratitude. Depending on the person you are honoring, including this flower in a bouquet could send a message that they are still remembered, honored, and loved no matter how long they’ve been gone.
What Should You Write on a Note to Send With Death Anniversary Flowers?
Wondering what to say on a death anniversary or the card included with a death anniversary bouquet? Here are several message ideas to provide inspiration and get you started.
1. “In honor of Stephanie’s life, legacy, and memory.”
This is a short and simple message that communicates why you’re sending the flowers and what they are for. It’s always good to make sure the recipient understands why you’re sending the flowers.
2. “Sending these flowers for Mark’s fifth birthday in Heaven. His spirit and memory live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew him.”
You can note how many years have passed on any floral arrangement, but it could be especially meaningful on the significant anniversaries, including the first, fifth, and tenth years.
3. “Remembering Josephina’s vibrant smile, caring ways, and kind heart. She was a wonderful friend.”
What did you appreciate the most about the person who passed? Include a message that talks about their personality or things you remember about them. A message like this communicates that you remember them and keep their memory alive.
4. “In honor of the life and legacy your Mom left behind. She was an inspiration to us all, and I’m so thankful we had the opportunity to know her.”
Send a message like this if you want to share how much of an impact someone’s life had on you. This message is also appropriate if you didn’t know the deceased very well, but you had the opportunity to interact a few times.
5. “Remembering Grandpa Jerry today. He was one of a kind, and we’ll always remember his warmth, hugs, and words of wisdom.”
What will you remember the most about the person who passed away? Mention a few specific things that you’ll remember, such as their humor, hugs, jokes, kindness, or unique skills.
6. “In honor of Megan. Though her life was short, her presence was sweet, and she will never be forgotten.”
Are you sending flowers to honor a child’s, toddler’s, or baby’s death? A message like this is appropriate and tells the recipient that their child’s memory won’t be forgotten even though their life was cut short.
7. “In honor of Troy Blake. May the impact of his life continue to be felt long after we have all gone to join him. We will always be indebted to his leadership, wisdom, and pioneering spirit.”
Are you sending flowers to the spouse of a deceased coworker or leader in the company? Mention how the person’s legacy and impact are still felt, even though it’s been several years since they’ve been gone. A message like this can be sent from one person or on behalf of the company.
8. “In honor of May’s life and memory. She will never be forgotten.”
This message is short, simple, and to the point. If you didn’t know the person who passed very well, you might consider using a message like this. This message also works well for companies that limit the space you have to write a message on the included sympathy card.
Remembering Death Anniversaries
Acknowledging a person’s death anniversary is an important way to keep their memory and legacy alive. Sending a floral arrangement or a sympathy plant to the person’s immediate family members can also help provide encouragement, comfort, and support when it’s needed most. We hope these guidelines help you choose a fitting floral arrangement to remember a loved one or friend.