FOR those planning to visit the cemetery before and after All Souls Day — the government has ordered memorial parks and columbariums nationwide will be closed on Nov. 1 as a measure to control the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) — the Farmers Garden in Araneta City is a convenient option for buying fresh arranged flowers for one’s dearly departed. Farmers Garden lessees offer the following suggestions on the best flowers to bring. For Bong’s Bloom and Balloons, lilies symbolize the soul of the departed and the hope offered by the healing process. Store owner Ferdinand Batol recommends white and/or pink lilies for faith and spirituality. Lilies, it may be noted, are mentioned 15 times in the Bible. A bouquet of lilies costs P1,200. (Contact Mr. Batol at 623-3875 and 0915-960-4324.) The Ester Flowers and El Dorado Farm suggest Japanese Spray Mums because, universally, it symbolizes sympathy. It is a symbol of life and rebirth in Asia, while it symbolizes longevity and optimism in the US. El Dorado Farms has a variety of colors to choose from: money white, money yellow, deco pink, deco purple, deco yellow, and deco red at P350 for 12 stems. (For more information on Japanese Spray Mums, contact Riza Pinpinio at 0917-839-5332.) Mignorette Flower Shop and Rina’s suggests tail flowers or anthuriums. A red anthurium conveys love and passion. A white one means innocence and purity. Pink reflects compassion and motherly love. A stand of anthuriums can range in price from P3,000 to P6,000. (Contact Mignorette Flower Shop at 0915-672-5327 or 0916-776-4774. Rina’s can be reached at 0949-822-9178). Long-lasting flowers, orchids speak an everlasting love and compassion for the deceased. Giving orchids to someone also expresses sympathy for those left behind by the departed. Graceliana’s Plants and Garden recommends any color of orchids, priced at P200 per bunch. (Contact them at 0919-976-4171.) Often used for wreaths due to their bright colors, carnations are said to resemble Blessed Virgin Mary’s tears. Pokwang’s Flower Shop can craft carnations for different flower arrangements. (Pokwang’s Flower Shop, 0906-288-2984.) A universal symbol of love, the rose is a beautiful present not only for the living but also for the departed. Speaking Roses recommends giving red roses to the dead to show love and grief. Like lilies, white roses mean innocence and purity. Consider giving yellow roses to a departed friend as this symbolizes warmth, friendship, and belongingness. They do not suggest light pink roses for the dead, but they can give a specific dark shade if pink for your special departed. (Speaking Roses, 0956-522-5777.) Visit Farmers Garden along General MacArthur Ave. in Araneta City to check out the options, or join the Farmers Market & Garden PH Viber community and communicate with any store online.

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