Public Flower Memorials

Public Flower Memorials

Flowers are often placed at the sight of a public place when a person dies there. Common places for public flower memorials to occur are trees, railings and pavements by roadsides where traffic accidents have occurred, outside the houses where there have been fatal incidents, and harbor railings where the boat of a sailor who has not returned from sea was once moored. However, there are no certain places where public flower memorials might appear. The laws surrounding the placements of these temporary memorials are often unclear and unthought of.

Flowers are used in the traditional sign of mourning, symbols of hope, resurrection, new life, and as a symbol of beauty of the life of that person who has died. Flowers are placed usually by the family members, friends and connections of the dead. Often, attached with the flowers are messages made by the bereaved to the dead, also with their photos and with candles. Religious symbols may also be placed as well. In the United States of America, the American Flag is also frequently placed with the flowers. Flowers commonly used are the Iris, Rose, Lilly, Chrysanthemum and Tulip. The favorite flower or item of the person who has died may also be placed. In western societies, the flowers are often bought from floristry shops or supermarkets.

When high profile figures die, such as celebrities and members of the Royal family, often fans and members of the general public place flowers outside their homes or palaces, even if they themselves did not personally know them. Also, at the sight of high scale disasters, people also place flowers in respect for the dead, even if they do not know anyone personally who died. Later on, a permanent memorial may be created in the same place or in a public space nearby.

It is never quite sure as to how long a public flower memorial might last, or who clears them away. It is common for the cellophane containing the flowers to remain and not be cleared, while the flowers die or rot into the soil.