Appropriate Flowers for Asian Funerals
Suppose you are attending a service organized by a funeral home in Westbury, NY and you are unfamiliar with Asian culture. In that case, you might be unsure of the appropriate flowers for the occasion.
Keep in mind that Asian culture is not a monolith, so sympathy flower guidelines vary from culture to culture.
The following etiquette tips should help you decide what’s most acceptable in the deceased’s culture.
China
Color symbolism is significant in Chinese culture, and this applies to funeral flowers too. The color white represents death and grief, so white flowers are appropriate choices.
As for the type of flowers, lilies are suitable just as they are in the United States. So are white roses and white chrysanthemums.
Yellow chrysanthemums are equally acceptable traditional funeral flowers. However, white remains the preferable option.
Whatever you do, avoid choosing the color red of any flower when selecting flowers for a Chinese funeral.
Red represents joy and celebration, and this is not the message you want to pass at a funeral. This caveat also applies to Buddhist funerals.
Japan
Flowers are not a big deal in Japanese funeral culture. Money, known as “koden” in Japanese, is a far more appropriate way to express sympathy.
Monetary gifts from friends go into alleviating funeral expenses, and this is greatly appreciated.
That said, if you wish to bring some flowers along, lilies and chrysanthemums in yellow and white are appropriate choices.
You can also bring large funeral wreaths called hanawa. They are customarily burned along with the body.
Korea
Korean culture shares a lot with Chinese culture when it comes to funeral flowers. In Korea, white represents death and mourning, and red is unacceptable for a funeral.
Lilies (white) and chrysanthemums (white or yellow) are equally appropriate flowers. However, bringing a bouquet isn’t a popular choice for individuals in Korean culture.
This is primarily left to businesses and organizations who traditionally send large wreaths. Individuals commonly send monetary gifts and aren’t expected to send flowers.
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia includes Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. They have a broad mix of religions, including Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, and others.
As such, it is better to inquire and follow the lead of the family’s religious traditions when choosing funeral flowers. Try checking the obituary for information or reaching out to the organizing funeral home.
Having said that, if flowers are acceptable under their religion, white lilies, carnations, and mums are safe options.
South Asia
In countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and India, Hinduism and Islam are the common religions in South Asia.
If it is a Hindu funeral, individuals typically don’t bring or send flowers. However, you could send sympathy flowers to the family at home, after the funeral and cremation.
And since flowers aren’t traditional sympathy gifts in Hindu culture, there is no specific color or type of flower to consider. If you wish to send flowers, go with whatever feels right.
The story is the same for a Muslim funeral. Flowers aren’t used in expressing sympathy in Islam, but it ultimately depends on the family’s specific beliefs.
If you wish to send flowers to a Muslim family, consult the funeral home, their religious leader, or a family member to determine if it is acceptable.
For additional questions about appropriate flowers for an Asian funeral or help organizing one, reach out to us. We are a Westbury, NY funeral home and will assist you in understanding the choices and customizing the service. Call us or visit our location today.