The Final Bloom: Flowers and the Art of Saying Goodbye in Asian Funerals

Flowers have always been intertwined with human emotions—joy, love, and even grief in a world where the inevitable end of life often feels overwhelming. The presence of flowers at funerals does not only play a vital role in expressing respect, sympathy, and hope for the deceased's peaceful journey to the afterlife but also offers solace and comfort.

Across Asia, the choice and arrangement of flowers are deeply rooted in cultural, spiritual, and religious traditions. Each bloom carries a profound meaning, reflecting the region’s cultural values and beliefs.

Let us delve into the rich traditions of how various Asian countries incorporate flowers into their respective funeral customs.

Don’t You Forget About Me

In the Philippines, the end of life is met with rituals filled with devotion. Flowers are essential in creating a setting of reverence and remembrance.

• Sampaguita - The country’s national flower, often woven into garlands or placed near the casket. Its pristine white petals represent purity and eternal love—a fitting farewell to the departed.

• White chrysanthemums – A universal emblem of mourning, framing the wake with their quiet dignity. It symbolizes peace, a wish for the deceased to find eternal rest.

• Peace lilies – Often used as a gift to express sympathy and comfort to the bereaved family. Usually arranged in a large circular pattern that comes with a stand; the flower also symbolizes rebirth, or the moving of the departed soul to a more peaceful place.

The Filipino tradition of multi-day wakes, often held in family homes, is marked by abundant floral offerings, wreaths, floral crosses, and even angel-themed arrangements. Each flower arrangement tells a story of love, faith, and hope for the soul’s peaceful journey.

Floral Symphony of Grief 

In Chinese culture, endings are treated with deep respect and solemnity, which reflects in their careful choice of flowers. In fact, it is common for a Chinese funeral to be filled with flowers.

• White or yellow chrysanthemums – As this flower symbolizes lamentation, white and yellow chrysanthemums are the most common flowers seen at Chinese funerals. Their understated elegance expresses grief and sympathy without subtlety.

• White lilies – Symbolizing the purity of the soul, this flower is often used to wish for the deceased to find peace in the afterlife.

• White frangipani – In Chinese culture, this flower is believed to be the guide of the deceased’s spirit to heaven.

• Red flower  – Although the color red is often avoided as it symbolizes joy and celebration in Chinese culture, it is sometimes chosen for funerals of elders who lived up to 80 years or older. 

Flowers in Chinese funerals are more than just a decoration; they are silent prayers for the departed and their journey beyond this life.

So, it Blooms, So it Withers

Japanese funerals, guided by Zen aesthetics, emphasize simplicity and the impermanence of life.

• White chrysanthemums – A flower synonymous with death in Japan, it dominates funeral arrangements. They symbolize grief and the transience of existence, a core belief in Japanese philosophy.

• Occasionally, yellow chrysanthemums are added, symbolizing honor and remembrance.

• Lotus flower – With its representation of spiritual enlightenment and purity of soul, white lotus makes a meaningful addition to a Japanese funeral.

In Japanese funerals, they honor the deceased by carefully choosing the floral arrangements and creating a peaceful and solemn atmosphere. With the altar serving as the focal point, they are usually designed with a deep sense of reverence, by keeping the aesthetic arrangement minimal and simple.

The Bees Hold Dear, a Flower’s Seed of Rebirth 

In India, endings are viewed not as finality but as transitions. It is deeply rooted in the belief in reincarnation.

• Marigolds – With their bright yellow and orange hues, it symbolizes purity and the continuity of life. Their circular garlands encircle the body or are placed around the pyre, signifying eternity.

• Lotus flower – The lotus is a sacred flower in Hinduism. With its association with divine purity, it can sometimes be used in Hindu Funerals.

In Indian funerals, while white is traditionally worn to symbolize purity and mourning, the use of flowers like marigolds brings vibrant hues to the ceremonies, reflecting the cultural emphasis on honoring the cycle of life and the soul's spiritual journey.

Flowers Lean Where the Sun Shines

In Thailand, a predominantly Buddhist country, flowers are central to funeral rituals as offerings of respect and spiritual devotion. White is the prevailing color, symbolizing purity and the hope for enlightenment. 

• White daisies - These delicate blooms convey simplicity and innocence, aligning with the Buddhist principles of detachment and peace. It is also used often as a heartfelt tribute to the deceased.

• White phalaenopsis orchids (faland) - Known for their elegance, they symbolize purity and sympathy, making them a popular choice for Thai funeral arrangements. 

• Tuberose - With its rich fragrance and pure white petals, tuberose is a popular addition to Thai funeral arrangements. It symbolizes peace, spiritual purity, and the hope for eternal rest. It's often placed near the coffin, letting its strong smell surround the room.

The prominence of these white flowers in Thai funerals reflects the serene and spiritual atmosphere of the ceremonies, emphasizing peace and the soul's transition toward enlightenment.

Throughout Asia, flowers in funerals symbolize a collective recognition of life’s transience and the deep need to honor it. While each culture has distinct floral customs, the themes of farewell remain universal: respect for the departed, comfort for those in mourning, and hope for the soul’s continued journey. 

From the Philippines’ heartfelt use of sampaguita and chrysanthemums to Thailand’s tranquil arrangements of tuberose and white orchids, every flower conveys a story—a testament to love, loss, and remembrance.

Through their timeless beauty and symbolic depth, flowers ensure that even in moments of sorrow, we find the grace to celebrate life, cherish love, and honor the endings that bind us all. 

As petals fall and their fragrance fades, they teach us a profound lesson: In every farewell, there is a reminder of life’s fleeting beauty and the bonds that will remain unbroken.