An Oak Grove granite lily

Perhaps there is no one flower more associated with mourning, funerals or grave stones than the lily.  Madonna lily, calla lily. or other varieties, with their bell- shaped blossoms and heavy perfume were a favorite of Victorian mourners at the wake, on the grave and carved on stones for the female Departed.  Oak Grove has a veritable field of beautiful carved granite and marble lilies.  In an excellent description from the web site The Art of Mourning, the meaning behind the symbol is explained.

“Lily: Majesty, innocence, purity, and resurrection. Often associated with the Virgin Mary and resurrection. Often used on women’s graves. The use of lilies at funerals symbolizes the restored innocence of the soul at death.”

For other interpretations of Victorian plant symbolism, visit  http://www.artofmourning.com/symbolism.html#plants