The Bereavement Birth Month Flowers

January: The Snowdrop

Though there are a variety of meanings to each flower, the specific ones that stood out to me were “rebirth, hope, and purity.” This flower emerges  as a beacon of hope amidst  harsh cold winter conditions, symbolizing the promise of renewal and imminent arrival of Spring. Similarly,  in the midst of loss and grief we are not able to see the full redemption and healing in this life, we do have that hope that Christ, our True Spring, is coming. He has conquered death. He will redeem the loss and sorrow fully and completely and that gives us strength and assurance. And just like this flower who heralds itself  in the midst of darkness in anticipation of spring, may it also fill us with  hope and sustain us through our grief-reminding us of the assurance we have in Christ's reign and the promise of eternal renewal.

February: The Iris

The Iris is celebrated not just for its velvety petals and distinctive patterns, but also for its vibrant hopeful colors that stand out against the dull backdrop of winter. Traditionally, gifting an Iris carries deep meaning, symbolizing hope and faith, and provides much needed encouragement and comfort to the recipient. In the times of mourning, may this flower serve as a reminder of the hope offered by Jesus. Trust that every tear that you have shed has been held by Christ Himself. He has already borne every sorrow and grief you have and will ever experience-on the cross- and promises that all will be restored and made new. As you anticipate that day, I pray that He grants you the faith to embrace this hope, be comforted in this “already, not yet” period, and that you experience His presence and love in your grief. 

March: The Daffodil

The daffodil holds profound symbolism in light of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection—representing rebirth, hope, and new beginnings. Its bright, cheerful bloom emerges after the harshness of winter, embodying the hope and renewal found in faith. These qualities beautifully reflect the redemption found in Christ, who Himself died and was resurrected. While this does not diminish the reality of pain and sorrow, it gives that pain a purpose, guiding our gaze toward Him. Just as the daffodil blooms after a harsh winter– symbolizing both death and new life– let it serve as a reminder of the hope we have in, our True Spring and Savior, who will wipe away every tear and fully redeem our sorrow at His second coming. As we wait for that beautiful day, I pray that this flower may remind you of the hope that is to come.

April: The Sweet Pea

The sweet pea is a lovely and delicate spring flower with unique, dainty petals. Beyond its stunning appearance, it is rich with symbolism–peace, purity, and innocence–giving it profound meaning, especially as we honor our Little Ones this month. In Victorian England, Sweet Peas were given symbolically as a way to say farewell or goodbye. A weighty and yet fitting meaning for this series. Though we have had to say goodbye to our Little Ones, we can cling to hope that Jesus Christ, who conquered death and reigns victorious, will not only assure believers of the hope of being reunited with them again, but that He will fully redeem our sorrow in His second coming. The best is yet to come!

May: The Hawthorn

The Hawthorn flower contains unique clusters of white and pink flowers that are filled with a strong, sweet fragrance. Its most notable meanings- hope, protection, and love- are not only significant for the baby it honors, but they also give us the reminder of the hope and love Christ gives to His people through His death and resurrection. As a Hawthorn stands resilient through the seasons of heat and drought, may it too remind you of the everlasting love and steadfastness of the Father through difficult seasons.

June: The Honeysuckle

The Honeysuckle is known for its strong sweet fragrance. Its meaning signifies sweetness and tenderness towards someone whom you love, strong bonds, and lasting relationships. In light of this meaning, the honeysuckle not only carries the profound sorrow of loss and yearning  but also is a fitting representation of the enduring  love a mother has for her baby; that no matter how brief their life has been, they are so deeply loved and never forgotten.

July: The Larkspur

The Larkspur is adorned with  vibrant colors and numerous blooms along its stem. Its meaning embodies joy and an ardent attachment to someone. While sorrow may overshadow joy, one can hold on to the hope Christ offers believers- that one day we will be reunited with them and true joy will be abundant. This profound connection is beautifully reflected in the love for their baby, who is already so deeply loved and cherished.

August: The Poppy

Poppy flowers are known not only for their vibrant array of colors and delicate petals, but also for their profound meaning. They represent consolation, remembrance, and death- meanings that one can find comforting in the midst of grief and loss. While death often seems final and unbearably burdensome,  the hope Christ gives believers is that Death has been defeated in His resurrection, and no longer has the final say in our stories. We live in this hope until it is realized at His second coming, when He comes and wipes away every tear that has been poured out from grief and reunites us with our babies. As we anticipate that beautiful reunion, we can honor and remember them in our homes and hearts.

September: The Morning Glory

The Morning Glory carries significant symbolic meanings amongst various cultures. It represents love and affection, personal and intimate realities in which we live, as well as transformation and resurrection, a future and spiritual reality in which we hope. This is reflected through the Morning Glory’s daily cycle of blooming and withering. The short bloom cycle of the Morning Glory makes it all the more poignant for those who have experienced loss, offering a poetic reminder of hope that comes in the promise of resurrection in the New Heavens and New Earth with Jesus Christ.

October: The Cosmos

The Cosmos flower has an array of colors, each of which offers its own uniqueness and beauty. The delicate petals and its structure embody the meaning of this flower: harmony, peace, and innocence. For harmony, we know that we have the hope, through Christ, of the reconciliation and redemption of the life that has been lost. Not only that but that we will be reunited with them again. We have peace in knowing that God not only offers us peace but that He Himself is our perfect peace and comfort. Lastly, innocence is an accurate representation of our Little Ones that are valued and precious to the Lord (Matthew 19:14). May these flowers not only be a beautiful reminder of our precious baby, but that they also provide the grieving hope in Jesus, a man of sorrows, who promises to redeem this sorrow in His Second Coming.

November: The Chrysanthemum

The Chrysanthemum holds a variety of meanings throughout different cultures. In Western culture it represents joy and loyalty while in eastern cultures, it symbolizes honor and respect. The dual symbolism makes a fitting tribute both celebrating and memorializing their life. 

During this time of grief, joy may feel distant, but believers can cling to the hope that Christ offers–the promise of full and perfect redemption of our grief and pain in His second coming, and the beautiful joyous reunion in being reunited once more with our Little Ones. This hope allows parents to honor the profound love and loyalty they feel for their baby, regardless of the amount of time she carried him or her. In this light, the chrysanthemum serves as a meaningful way to honor the life of a Little One creating a lasting tribute to the precious bond shared, even in the midst of sorrow.

December: The Holly

This resilient evergreen, renowned for its strength and perseverance through harsh winters, embodies the qualities of hope and endurance. The holly, with its vibrant red berries and glossy leaves, symbolizes everlasting life and serves as a reminder of the beauty that can emerge even in the darkest times. 

For those grieving, the holly can bring profound comfort. Its steadfast nature reflects the enduring love that remains in our hearts, even amidst sorrow. In Christianity, the holly is often associated with the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ, who offers hope and solace to those in mourning. In this hope, though we do not see the full and perfect redemption in this life on Earth, we will see it in His second coming. 

This print honors the precious lives of Little Ones lost, reminding mothers that their love is eternal. In the promise of Jesus, there is hope that they will one day be reunited with their baby and that Jesus will wipe away every tear. Let the holly be a symbol of that hope, providing comfort and peace during this difficult journey of remembrance and healing.