Black. Donning dark colors for mourning has been strongly associated with death and loss for centuries in the west and is a practice believed to date back to the Roman times. In the early 1900s, black jewelry made from polished stone, jet, was particularly popular in the form of mourning brooches and mourning rings.
Black – Western World
Wearing dark colours for mourning has long been a tradition in many parts of the western world, in particular large parts of Europe and North America. The association of the colour black with death and loss is centuries old and is believed to have originated during Roman times.
Flying a flag at half-mast (halfway up the flagpole) is a sign of mourning. It's a respectful way to honor the passing of someone important or to offer condolences after a tragedy. The space at the top of the flagpole represents the invisible flag of death.
Wearing dark grey or deep blue is just as appropriate as black, while brown and lighter greys are suitable for the vast majority of funeral services. However, unless specifically requested by the deceased or their family, you should avoid any bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.
At this stage, acceptable colours also known as “secondary mourning colours” with an ashy or grey undertone were used for the trim: grey, lavender, mauve and sometimes white in the form of a collar or gloves.
White - White is the traditional color of funeral flowers, as well as sympathy flowers. The color white evokes feelings of peace, innocence, and honor. White flowers are suitable for any funeral occasion. Red - Red flowers indicate beauty, as well as strength.
The chrysanthemum, or mum, makes a wonderful choice when mourning with a family that has ties to Europe or Asia. China, Korea and Japan use white chrysanthemums to symbolize grief.
Livor mortis, also known as post-mortem lividity or post-mortem hypostasis, refers to the pooling of blood in the lower portion, or dependent parts, of the body after death. This results in a dark purple discoloration of the skin.
Dark Green
The color represents what is known as "half-mourning." During Victorian times, people would wear black when their loved ones died. Often, black was worn for an entire year. Afterward, if the person was still in mourning, they would wear green as a sign of half-mourning.
Western cultures: Purple represents royalty, wealth, and fame. However, in some parts of Europe, it's associated with death. Eastern/Asian cultures: Purple also represents nobility in most Asian cultures. However, it's a symbol of mourning in Thailand.
Hyacinth: The purple hyacinth is a popular symbol of sorrow and regret. For a funeral setting, this expression is certainly appropriate. Sometimes, a simple acknowledgement of the family's grief is enough.
White stargazer lilies symbolize sympathy and are a great option to show your condolences. Peace lilies symbolize the rebirth of the soul and transcendence. They also symbolize peace and hope.
In Europe, the skull and crossbones emerged as a symbol of death about 600 years ago.
Blue is associated to tears and hence, sadness.
Similarly, according to the Dictionary of Americanisms (1848), Blue means – Gloomy, severe; extreme, ultra. And Blue Devils here too has been stated to mean low spirits.
In Egypt, yellow and gold were used in mourning. Mummies wore gold masks and the color came from the sun and its constant presence. Mexico and Ethiopia attribute yellow as a color of mourning also.
Some historians have concluded that the color yellow was in fact a color of mourning in Katherine's home country, Spain. However, other sources say this is not the case, and it is instead a color of hope and renewal.
Purple: dignity, elegance (often chosen for the funeral services of grandparents) Red: courage, love, respect. Red, Dark: grief, love, sorrow. White: humility, innocence, purity, reverence, spirituality, youthfulness (often used at the funerals of children)
Grey is the quintessential sad color, but dark and muted cool colors like blue, green or neutrals like brown or beige can have a similar effect on feelings and emotions depending on how they're used. In Western cultures black is often considered the color of mourning, whereas in some East Asian countries it's white.
Black Roses: Change and Courage
This rose color meaning can be interpreted in several ways. While the color black has been used to signify death and mourning, making them a common choice for funerals, black roses can have a more positive meaning as well.
Not death in the abstract: the dark-cloaked, scythe-brandishing spirit of Victorian art, or the symbolic black vestments worn at funerals. No, yellow connotes death in more concrete, physical terms. The signs of decay and putrefaction in the human body: respiratory secretions, jaundice, skin disease, vomit, and bile.
The Peace Lily has been long thought to promote harmony, innocence, peace, and purity after death. In Latin, the term Spathiphyllum translates to "peace and prosperity." Peace Lilies can be described as having star-shaped white flowers with rich green leaves.
Cyclamen. Cyclamen are a good flower to send someone if you've just broken up.
You might have seen rainstorm images, ravens, and skull or grim reaper symbols. Barren landscapes and faces of cliffs are popular, too. All of these are commonly associated with depression because they capture the essence of the darkness, despair, struggle, and thoughts of death that are hallmarks of major depression.
Our End-of-Life Symbol
The three stranded white spiral represents the interconnected cycle of life: birth, life and death. The white outer circle represents continuity, infinity and completion.
Yew. Yew is typically associated with the dead and is often found in graveyards. The Druids saw yew trees as the guardians of the dead. In Greek mythology, yew trees are associated with the Greek goddess Hecate, liberator of souls after death.