MISE EN SCENE - FLOWERS

Flowers have been used to convey feelings and messages throughout history. For example:

• Lilies [especially stargazer lilies] are used to at funerals to show mourning and the restoration of innocence.
• Red roses and chrysanthemums are used to show true love.
• Forget-me-not's are used to show undying love.
• Deep red carnations are used to show heart ache.
• Lotus flowers are used to show estrangement.
• Purple Hyacinths are used to ask forgiveness.
• Primroses are used to show that the living cannot live without the deceased.
• In Asia and the USA, chrysanthemums are used to express grief and truth.
• Pink and white orchids are used for mourning and eternal love.

Different cultures mourn in different ways. Although in many western countries black is the colour for mourning, in China and India white is worn to show mourning and loss.

Different cultures also have different funeral/ mourning rituals - Vikings were sent out on a flaming boat so the smoke would carry them to Valhalla, and Egyptians would be mummified and buried with their hearts and other organs in jars so that their heart could be weighed against the Feather of Truth in Ma'at.
However, typical modern funerals are usually either burial or cremation - especially in western cultures -  and are used to pay respects to the dead and for friends and family to say goodbye to the deceased.
For my graveside segment, I would ideally like to use red and white roses or carnations - as well as the meanings behind them, they are also commonly associated with funerals and would act as a signifier.