Choosing funeral flowers
With such a vast array of colours, arrangements and types of flower available, where do you start and how can you make it personal? Whether you are choosing funeral flowers as part of your own funeral arrangements or buying sympathy flowers for a family member or friend, thinking about the following questions may make your decision making process a little easier:
- Is there a favourite flower or colour you could choose?
- Is there a theme to the funeral that would influence
- your choice such as a colour or time of year?
- Is there a hobby or interest that could be incorporated
- such as the colours of a football team?
- Are family members thinking about a specific colour
- scheme or funeral flower?
Another way is to opt for the flower that represents the month the person was born:
As far as funeral flower arrangements are concerned, again there are a number of different options available:
- Casket Spray – arranged by close family, these are typically doubled ended sprays used as coffin flowers
- Funeral Sprays and Sheaves – can be placed in a stand. Hand tied sheaves are good if you are looking for something more natural
- Funeral Wreaths – the more traditional circular arrangement
- Hearts and Cushions – perhaps a more sentimental arrangement
- Posies and Baskets – traditional or contemporary. Posies are usually circular and therefore can be viewed from all angles
- Special tributes – includes letter tributes usually arranged by families
For more ideas and examples of funeral flowers and arrangements visit Interflora.
If the funeral is for you or your family, you may also want to give some thought to where the funeral flowers should go once the service is over. Although some people choose to take them home or lay them on the grave, others prefer them to go to a local hospital, nursing home or organisation. These days, instead of buying flowers for funerals, some people choose to donate to charity instead. Your funeral directors should be able to help you with all of this if required.
Charity donations
Instead of buying funeral flowers, many families now request that people make a charity donation, often related to the person who has died.
This can be done either through the funeral director, a family member or direct to the chosen charity.
If you do decide to do this you will need to inform people attending the funeral as soon as possible. You could also include details of where to send donations on the back of the Order of Service.
With so many charities it can be difficult to know where to start and who to donate to. If you feel you want to give to charity but are not sure which one to choose, you may want to take a look at Help us support Cancer Research UK.