Are you looking to pay your final respects to someone special in your life?
It goes without saying that it’s never easy when you lose a loved one. Choosing and organising the right funeral flowers can be a little difficult, especially when we’re not in the right frame of mind and feel there is too much to deal with - both practically and emotionally. Understandably too. So with that in mind, below are 5 floral designs to give you a guide to choosing your tribute.
Funeral Flower Types
The Heart
The open or closed heart are often chosen by close family members, or perhaps by children signifying the love they had for the deceased, and acts as a very personal statement.
A Coffin Spray
A coffin spray, sometimes known as a double ended spray or Casket arrangement.
Traditionally this is the arrangement that sits on the coffin as it is taken into the chapel for the service. It is often chosen by the close family members as their parting gift. Some families prefer to have this coupled with donations to a charity rather than masses of flowers.
There are choices in respect of how these are arranged such as 'living' arrangements, those that can be taken apart and distributed amongst the mourners or one that will remain at the crematorium or place of worship. For further details, take a look at my home page HERE
The Wreath
The wreath signifies the circle of eternal life, so is often seen as appropriate for funerals.
These can be made up with a mass of one flower or a mix of different flowers and colours.
Alternatively, these could be more natural structures of twisted branches of willow or dogwood with foliage and flowers. Whatever the choice, this is a classic and tasteful arrangement
The Sheaf
This is a hand tied arrangement that is designed to lay flat, in a teardrop shape. This can be made up of a mix of flowers and styles both classic and contemporary. It is often popular made up of one single type of flower like a rose with added foliage.
The Posy
This is a perfect arrangement for a funeral and is an especially popular choice with friends or for young children. A round design that can be seen from all sides, with a dome shape to the top. If you are in doubt about the type of design to choose, you cannot go far wrong with this.
I feel that times are changing and hopefully for the better in respect of floristry. My clients have often wanted more than a standard arrangement and why should they only have these just because it's always been done that way, when there are so many alternatives
Take for example the massed chrysanthemum arrangements. Now we can offer more than this - something more sustainable, something with longevity and not just thrown away after a couple of days. This is why I have introduced living arrangements to my portfolio.
These can be made in various shapes and can be planted out giving the family some comfort at a difficult time after the funeral. They can be made up of a mix of annuals and perennials at this time of year, or when plants are more limited during the winter, perhaps bulbs, perennials and some cut flowers.
The joy of these is that they can be arranged with what is in season. Give me a call if you would like to discuss further, or contact me HERE.
Organising funerals can be incredibly distressing, and whilst I can’t wave a magic wand and make it all go away, what I can do is be there to listen to your story. What did your loved one like? From their favourite memories, their passion, a hobby, their favourite flower or colours, are questions we will work through together to help you organise the perfect flower tribute for your special loved one.
I will support and guide you to choose personal and fitting flower tributes, as well as advise you on the funeral process, alleviating some of the stress of the situation. One arrangement does not fit all, nor should it. Contact me HERE me to enquire further.