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At the beginning of the Industrial
Revolution, mass production tech-
niques allowed a greater supply of
standardized baskets and containers
to be produced less expensively and
efficiently. Popular magazines and
etiquette manuals suggested the use
of baskets of flowers for decorating
parlor tables and mantles must be
done in keeping with the aesthetic of
their surroundings, as well as the
occasion. For parlor decorations,
high stands with or without branches,
small pendant baskets, or hanging
baskets were frequently used.
During this time, there were
three categories of basket arrange-
ments: plant baskets, flower baskets,
and a combination of both. Baskets
This Victorian family home memorial usually had full arrangements, giving 1800s photograph featuring tremendous floral arrangements
followed the guidelines of the day as with a photo of Father in the center and featuring many sheaves of wheat
far as appropriate height, stand, the appearance that it was bursting which is a tradition used at funerals in the Midwest.
wreath, and flowers were concerned. with leaves and blossoms of one type
or multiple varieties. Baskets also structure and used to create height and large fan-like structures in
suited the desire for loose graceful arrangements, which were fashionable funeral arrangements. When it comes to a funeral floral arrangement, the
in the late 1800s and into the 1900s. Because the basket designs gladiolus embodies strength of character, sincerity, and moral integrity.
allowed them to hold water, the flowers inside stayed fresh longer. The
variety and longevity of arrangements in baskets made them highly Collectible Floral Baskets
favored by customers. By the 1910s, suppliers offered as many as 1,500 In the world of collectibles, funeral floral
different styles of baskets in their catalogs, mostly made from willow. baskets are enjoyed for their shape and style.
Ranging in price from $10 at a tag sale (if you
can find one) to $150-$350 in finer antique
Flower Meanings
Different flowers offered different meanings shops depending upon color and condition.
when honoring the dead as far back as the 15th These baskets, made of wicker and/or metal,
century B.C. At that time, nature had not brought typically have a large oval handle that spans over
forth the diversity in color that is seen today, but the floral arrangement and allows for the easier
the shape, season, and perceived intent of each transportation of
bloom as it unfurled brought with it a sense of flowers from the home
purpose to the viewer. or funeral parlor to the
During the Victorian era, the obsession with gravesite. Other baskets
the meaning of flowers practi- were tall—up to eight
cally took over as a language feet—and had a Georgian-era funeral
unto itself when it came to decorative wide basket containing a
love, celebration, and death. flow at the top. wood base to keep it
As the science of biology These were used steady selling for
$170 online
advanced, more varieties of mostly during the
flowers came into bloom, church services. The most popular basket
thanks to selective breeding, colors were green and white.
resulting in different mean- The White Calla Lily A metal and wicker basket valued Helping the flowers stay in place
ings assigned to each category, represents resurrection at $235 with great green color meant a type of “fill” was required to
genus, and species. Here are a and rebirth allow space to be set between stems.
few examples. Flower frogs were used in smaller baskets or containers, but in 1954,
Lilies – Images of lilies floral foam, also called “Oasis,” a company name, was invented. This tool
were discovered in a villa in changed the florist industry greatly because it not only retained water to
Crete dating back to 1580 keep the flowers alive, it was such a sturdy foam that it easily held even
B.C. These majestic flowers the heaviest of blooms in place.

have long held a role in
A Yellow Mum ancient mythology. Derived Flowers were seen as
symbolizing sorrow a visible expression of
from the Greek word “leiron,” sympathy, respect,
(generally assumed to refer to the white Madonna dare, and love for Wicker funeral
basket with tin
lily), the lily was so revered by the Greeks that they the deceased and the insert called
believed it sprouted from the milk of Hera, the deceased’s family. Since it the “American
queen of the gods. wasn’t alwaysdeemed proper to speak Beauty Vase”
Chrysanthemum – Blooming in its original color openly about one’s feelings, flowers were in floral supply
of gold back in the 1400s B.C., the name translates delivered in secret and the recipient had to catalogs and
was used to
to “gold flower.” A symbol of the sun, the Japanese guess who sent them. Even when sending hold long
consider the orderly unfolding of the chrysanthe- flowers for funerals, it remained a way for stem rose
mum’s petals to represent perfection, and it is said friends, family, and neighbors to say they arrangements.
that a single petal of this celebrated flower placed cared without having to speak the words
at the bottom of a wine glass will encourage a long out loud. Perhaps hints to the identity of
and healthy life. A Pink Gladiolus the sender, and the message sent, was said
Gladiolus – Today, this flower is often referred representing by the flowers, themselves.
to as “The Funeral Flower” due to its distinct compassion

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