Complete the following passage by filling in the blanks with one suitable word.

Flowers have been symbols of beauty in most civilizations of the world, and gifting flowers (a) .......... still the most popular tradition of social functions. As gift, flowers serve as expressions of affection for spouses, other family members, and friends, as decorations at weddings (b) .............. other ceremonies; as token of respect for (c) ............ deceased; as cheering gifts to the bedridden; or as expression of thanks to hostesses and other social contacts