In the US they used to be used for both funerals and decoration for weddings, but have lost popularity and so have become quite expensive to use, (fewer growers). So they are unusual in floral industry today! Maybe they will make a comeback!

My mother (who is Irish) was brought up to believe they represented death. Apparently, they were not allowed to be brought into hospitals. The florist put them in my bridal boquet and we removed them. Pity to have such a negative feeling over such a beautiful flower. I have almost got to the point were I might be able to grow them in my garden.