This writer recently attended a funeral, one of the darker moments in life but inevitable. Upon reading a history book, there was a sentence that one could glide over with a profound comment…susceptible to being unnoticed, it said: there are three ceremonies that are found in most (with very rare exceptions) cultures, those being the birth rights, marital rights, and funerals. These three moments are in some way very connected, for we, as species, have a tendency to gather together for them, they are essentially the “big marks” along the timeline of life.
Birth and death are more easy to sense, perhaps. It is marriage that is also a rebirth of two as one. Consequently, you can observe another thing: flowers are often present at these three moments as well. Is that really a coincidence?
Whatever the reason may be, it seems worth noting. As I entered the funeral parlor, a sweet smell had me enraptured, this floral scent kept me captivated throughout the entire process. Somber as the moment was, a wind blew throughout the cemetery and carried the aroma of all the flowers by the grave to all the mourners.
This is such a bittersweet moment. It is difficult to describe the significance of flowers at a moment like this…where the world seems so cruel and yet here is this enormous display of beauty and overpowering fragrance from the flowers…symbols of life and death themselves.
The tradition of buying flowers for the deceased has some strong roots of poignancy. We are reminded of the transience of life, how brief everything is. At the same time, their presence speaks of the magnificence of life, how powerful and admirable, like flowers, we can be.
It is the case, in certain circles, that they ensure the flowers themselves do not have water for these moments, so that they represent a certain lack of vitality that the deceased now has. Flowers certainly are much more than beautiful, they have integrated themselves into our lives as an enriching component that has symbolic significance. They always seem to be appropriate, no matter what the occasion. That makes them truly fascinating, as it is quite a talent.
