08/19/2025
A Broken Wheel Arrangement: A Symbol of Love and Loss
At a recent memorial service I led, there was a floral arrangement unlike any I had ever seen before—a broken wheel. I was immediately struck by its beauty and depth of meaning, and I knew I wanted to weave its symbolism into the service I created and shared as the celebrant. The broken wheel spoke so profoundly to the journey of life and loss, and I absolutely loved the metaphor it carried. As Helen Keller once said, “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” This arrangement, in its quiet symbolism, seemed to embody that very truth.
Traditionally, a wheel symbolizes eternity—always turning, representing progress, movement, and the continuation of life’s journey. But when a wheel is broken, it takes on a deeper meaning.
Each spoke of the wheel represents those who are living, and the broken spoke represents the loved one who has died—their absence forever felt in the circle of life. The broken wheel reminds us that a life’s earthly journey has come to an end, yet it also carries another truth: movement continues.
The road ahead may feel uneven without that missing spoke. We may try to steady the wheel—by filling our days, leaning on others, finding new rhythms—but it can never truly be the same. That person’s unique presence, who they were and all they meant, cannot be replicated.
And yet, even in the emptiness, there is still so much they leave behind—love, laughter, lessons, memories—that overflow our hearts. So while we say farewell, it is not goodbye. Their love continues to travel with us, and one day, on another road, in another place, the wheel will be whole once more.
After the service, the family shared these words with me that touched me deeply:
“Jill, I sincerely can never thank you enough for the beautiful service that you performed for my mother. Everyone commented afterwards that they had never been to such a beautiful tribute to a wonderful woman. Your sense of detail to every aspect that we talked about or that I sent you—or that others in my family spoke to you about—was captured in such a beautiful way. You made such a difficult time very healing for all of us. While I don’t live in California, I will definitely recommend you to anyone and everyone that needs to celebrate their loved one. I wish you all the best as you continue to turn the pages of your life.” 💕
— Karen (daughter)
