The floral displays at this week’s funerals of the Carrickmines fire victims included one in the shape of a gun depicting Willy Lynch’s love of hunting. It underlined the changing style of floral tributes at funerals in both the settled and Traveller communities.
Undertakers say floral arrangements have evolved to become more personal tributes.
The scale of floral tributes often depends on whether a burial or cremation is taking place. Cremations, which account for a much higher proportion of Dublin funerals than they did in the past, tend to be marked by fewer floral arrangements.
However, undertakers say a funeral floral arrangement nearly always adorns the coffin, often featuring lilies or roses, irrespective of whether a burial or cremation is taking place.
Peace and love
Traditionally, white flowers such as roses have been used at funerals, with lilies often used as a symbol of sweetness, peace and love to offer solace to the family of the deceased.
David Fanagan of Fanagans Funeral Home in Dublin says members of the Traveller community place particular significance on flowers at funerals, using their own craft skills to create personalised floral wreaths for their loved ones.
“Putting floral tributes together is even more meaningful than buying them. The Traveller community often make them themselves, which gives it more significance.”
The age of the deceased and the relationship with family members is also a deciding factor in the flowers used.
Embalming
Janette O’Rourke from Kay’s Flower School in Dublin says a husband or wife may place a rose on a partner’s coffin as a symbol of love.
When a child dies, parents may choose pink flowers for a girl and blue for a boy. With a young baby, she says, mourners tends to keep it very simple – all white, small and delicate. “White stands for peace, they’re at peace now.”
O’Rourke has seen a resurgence in 1980s’ style wreaths for funerals in recent years, with old-fashioned floral arrangements, including silk and dried flowers, coming back.
The biggest change for Fanagans has been in the care of the deceased and the embalming of a body which allows people to bring the person home. “Across the board the primary concern is the care and presentation of the deceased. Being embalmed gives them a dignified funeral and dignified way of saying goodbye.”
Irish people know how to do funerals, he says. "The ritual of the funeral in Ireland is hugely important. "