When a loved one has passed, maintaining their gravesite can be a source of comfort for surviving family members. While keeping their headstone clean and free of debris is one way to honor the departed, another option is to plant flowers to symbolize their memory. After verifying with the cemetery that planting flowers is allowed, here are a few florals to consider incorporating into your loved one’s final resting place.

5 Flower Varieties That Can Memorialize a Loved One

1. Geraniums

A hardy flower that can withstand light frosts, these annuals are available in a wide variety of vibrant colors. They can be planted in the spring and extracted in the fall, blooming all the while in between. Just be sure to clip the blooms to encourage new flower growth and prevent them from obscuring the headstone.

2. Lily of the Valley

Perennials such as lilies of the valley will reappear every year, saving you from having to replant new flowers. Symbolizing a “return to happiness,” these fragrant florals are associated with purity and are used in religious ceremonies across the globe.

3. Chrysanthemums

Another cold-hardy variety, chrysanthemums require little upkeep aside from deadheading spent flowers and cutting back stems after the cold weather sets in. In many areas, they can even withstand frosts. Chrysanthemums are available in nearly every color, so consider paying homage to your loved one by choosing their favorite shade.

4. Marigold

The marigold’s association with grief extends back to the Aztec time, when the flower was first used to represent the lost loved ones during the Day of the Dead celebrations. The bright orange flowers bloom in the early summer and will thrive until the first frost if pruning is maintained.

5. Daffodil

Flowering bulbs like daffodils also return yearly. Among the first foliage to appear in the early spring, these blooms can bring bright cheer to any grave marker. Due to their height, daffodils are especially well-suited for complementing taller headstones.

A gravesite is a sacred place where your loved one’s memory lives on. At Wommack Monument in Bolivar, Aurora, Monett, and Springfield, MO, three generations of monument craftsmen have been providing families with quality memorials since 1954 and offer a lifetime guarantee on their work. With their dedication to everlasting quality, you can rest assured your loved one’s headstone, grave marker, or other memorial stone will symbolize their life indefinitely. Learn more about their dedication to quality by visiting their website, or call (800) 743-8233 to speak with a team member.