Personalised Farewells

Unique Floral Ideas for Summer Funerals

Summer, with its abundance of blooms, provides an ideal backdrop for creating personalised floral tributes for funerals. The choices are endless, and the selection can reflect the hobbies and personality of your loved one. It doesn't always have to be traditional flowers.

For a gardener, consider a coffin spray that combines both flowers and vegetables or perhaps just veggies and foliage. Men, who might not be fond of traditional floral arrangements, may appreciate the unique textures, colors, and shapes of foliage. Often considered just a filler, greenery can be a stunning centerpiece all on its own, showcasing its versatility and beauty.

Not every arrangement has to be a coffin spray. A meadow-style arrangement in a shallow tin or box is a charming alternative. You could also fill a box with jam jars brimming with flowers, which can then be shared with the congregation after the service.

For someone who loved walking, gardening, or lived in their work boots, these personal items can be transformed into unique vases filled with flowers, fruits, and vegetables. This creative approach honours their life and passions in a meaningful way.

Using seasonal flowers for these arrangements not only aligns with the time of year but also offers a more natural look. Local blooms are not just beautiful—they are also eco-friendly. Why choose imported orchids when there are so many stunning flowers available locally? Supporting local growers not only helps the environment but also upholds traditions of the past.

Incorporating these personalised and eco-friendly ideas into a funeral can create a truly special farewell, celebrating a life well-lived in a unique and memorable way.

Memorialising a Loved One with a Living Tribute Garden

As a funeral florist, I've had the privilege of helping families create meaningful tributes to honour their loved ones. While traditional cut flower arrangements have their beauty and significance, there's something truly special about creating a living tribute garden that continues to bloom long after the funeral is over.

Imagine a garden filled with vibrant blooms, each one representing a cherished memory of your loved one. Instead of a fleeting arrangement that withers away in a few days, a living flower design composed of small plants offers a lasting tribute. After the funeral, this living tribute can be moved to your garden, where it becomes a permanent fixture, a place of solace and remembrance.

Even if you don't have a garden, there are alternatives to consider. A window box or a large pot can serve as a miniature garden, bringing the beauty of nature into your home and serving as a daily reminder of your loved one's presence.

One of my clients chose to honour both her mother and father with living tributes. She has kindly given me permission to share her picture of the plants that have reappeared for the last few years. It's truly heartwarming to see how these living tributes can bring solace and comfort to those left behind.

But living tributes don't have to stop at the garden. For a larger-scale memorial, consider purchasing a bench and a memorial plaque to place in a woodland area or park. This creates a lasting legacy that extends beyond the individual, with each passing season serving as a reminder of a life well lived.

Another beautiful option is to plant a tree in memoriam. Each tree species carries its own symbolism, offering hope, resilience, and renewal. Whether it's the Silver Birch symbolising regeneration or the willow representing survival in the face of adversity, planting a tree is a powerful way to honour a loved one's memory while making a positive impact on the environment.

Several organisations, such as the Woodland Trust, National Trust, and Life for a Life, offer tree planting services, making it easy to create a lasting tribute that will stand the test of time.

In times of grief, finding ways to honour and remember our loved ones is essential for healing. Whether it's through a living tribute garden, a memorial bench, or a planted tree, these gestures not only keep their memory alive but also bring comfort and solace to those left behind. As a funeral florist, it's truly fulfilling to see the impact these living tributes have on families as they navigate their journey of grief and remembrance.

DIY Winter Wreaths: How to Create Your Own Wreath At Home

Instead of heading to the store to buy greenery and decorations, take a look around your garden or on your walks to see what you can find. This adds to the creative process and can be quite therapeutic. Just remember to be aware of any foraging laws in your area. If you're feeling bold, ask your neighbours if you can cut back some of their greenery – they'll likely be more than happy to oblige!

Suggested sundries: garden twine, string or raffia, 

                                      Scissors or secateurs

                                      Bucket or vase

                                      Collection of greenery

                                      Cones, feathers, seed heads

There's something incredibly satisfying about going out on a crisp morning walk and stumbling upon treasures like cones, berries, and seed heads. Once you've gathered your branches, twigs, and greenery, be sure to place them in water for a few hours or overnight to condition them properly.

First, you'll need something to form the base of your wreath. If you have dogwood, willow, or bendy branches from a tree, those will work great. Wind and weave these branches or stems into a circular shape to create a strong and secure structure. If you're concerned about them holding together, you can always use a bit of garden twine to secure them in place. Don't forget to add a loop to one of the branches to hang up your finished wreath!

Once your base is ready, it's time to start adding the greenery. Ivy is a great option and can be wrapped around the base or fed into the structure. If you found any cones, you can attach them to the wreath by wrapping string, twine, or raffia at the base and securing them in place. Feel free to let your imagination run wild with this – you can incorporate hydrangea heads, box, conifer, dried fern leaves, grasses, and more. Just be careful with holly – those leaves can be prickly!

Remember, if something doesn't work or you're not happy with it, don't be afraid to remove it and replace it with something else. The great thing about this DIY wreath is that it's fully compostable and eco-friendly.

Whether you want to create a large wreath or a smaller one with limited materials, it doesn't matter. What matters is that you're proud of your creativity and what you've achieved. I would love for you to give this a try – feel free to send me a picture of your masterpiece. Happy wreath making!

Floral Foam Alternatives: Nurturing Eco-Friendly Blooms

Like many individuals, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, I found myself contemplating how to make the most of my time. I began to delve deeply into eco-friendly methods of flower arranging, and my research led me to explore the use of 'oasis' foam. As the flower secretary at my church for numerous years, we had always relied on floral foam (commonly known as oasis), and my college education had never introduced me to alternative options.

Were you aware that a single block of floral foam is equivalent to the plastic in 10 carrier bags? This material is composed of microplastics and even contains formaldehyde. It does not biodegrade, and even those labelled as biodegradable do so only under specific conditions that we have no control over once they end up in a landfill. The more I learned, the more resolute I became in my mission to make our church arrangements, as well as my commercial work, completely foam-free.

I felt a strong urge to encourage people to explore alternatives to floral foam. With this in mind, I decided to organise a demonstration showcasing foam-free flower arrangements. I was grateful for the support of more than 20 ladies from our church, other congregations, and even non-churchgoers eager to learn about eco-friendly options. It was an ideal opportunity to raise funds for a worthy cause as well, and the Billericay Foodbank immediately came to mind. The ladies gathered to learn about the convenience of floral foam, but also the harm it inflicts on the environment, as it breaks down into water sources, harming both humans and aquatic life. We discussed alternatives such as pin frogs, chicken wire, moss, Agra wool, and recycled glass jars, along with creative ideas for thinking "outside the box" when arranging flowers.

I also shared insights about the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) banning the use of floral foam in all their shows since 2020, and the 'Sustainable Church Flowers' (SCF) movement within the Church of England. If you're interested, please visit their websites for more information. Our discussion extended to the environmental impact of imported flowers, their carbon footprint, and the effects on residents in farming areas. I suggested locally sourced flowers and foliage be considered, with additional details available from a membership association called 'Flowers from the Farm.' Local blooms offer various advantages over commercial varieties, including delightful scents and the charm of uniquely shaped stems.

Our gathering was not just about talk; we also demonstrated some of the foam alternatives and ended up with a beautiful locally sourced floral arrangement for the Communion table and a stunning Pedestal design. I'm delighted to report that we raised £250 for the Foodbank during the event.

I acknowledge that these changes won't occur overnight, but in a time when our planet is undergoing significant transformations, I encourage everyone to take steps toward creating foam free church arrangements and to think consciously about how flowers are presented when given as gifts.