Planning a funeral is usually a sorrowful and overwhelming experience as you battle your grief alongside the pressure of putting together the perfect send-off for your loved one. This means that ordering flowers can sometimes fall towards the bottom of your funeral arrangement priority list. This simple guide to choosing funeral flowers sets out three important things you might want to consider when choosing funeral flowers.
Consider the Personality and Interests of Your Loved One
This might seem obvious, but in such a busy and sad time, many fall back on tradition, which can be easier than coming up with something truly innovative. Incorporating the personality of your family member can be as simple as ordering flowers in all their favourite colours or including an unconventional flower which they loved. The Telegraph reported on unusual flower arrangements which people have had made, depicting in flower form interests as diverse as snooker, football club logos, caravans and favourite holiday destinations. Don't worry about whether your arrangement is traditional, as a lively, personalised reminder of the deceased is sure to make everyone smile.
Learn the Language of Flowers
Most people know that different flowers have different meanings, but it can be unclear which are suitable for funerals. The most common funeral flower is the lily, which, as Everplans explains, symbolises the innocence to which the deceased has returned. Other popular and apt choices are roses, which depending on colour can symbolise anything from grief to friendship to thankfulness, as well as orchids to symbolise everlasting love and carnations to show affection.
Think About What Others Might Send
It's almost certain that others will send floral tributes to your loved one, so don't buy too many flowers yourself. You may also want to think about the shapes and types of arrangements that other people might send, so you don't end up with too many of the same kind. Flowers For Funerals points out that while many people will send wreaths to be placed by the grave, you as the funeral planner are generally responsible for the casket spray, a large and usually diamond-shaped arrangement which is placed on top of the coffin during the ceremony.
While there's certainly a lot to think about when planning a funeral, choosing flowers does not have to be difficult or time-consuming. Combining what you know about your loved one's interests, favourite flowers and favourite colours, along with the intricate meanings of different flowers, will help you create something that is both personal and deeply meaningful. If you need help with funeral arrangements, be sure to contact a funeral home.
Share3 January 2018
It's incredibly hard to plan a funeral for teenagers. They should have their whole life ahead of them, and even if they have had a terminal diagnosis, often their parents cannot believe that they could actually be gone. When my niece passed away, I worked with her friends to make sure that the funeral worked for them and gave them a chance to grieve as well. It was great to see how much impact my niece had made on the world in such a short time, with her friends and family coming together to pay tribute to the beautiful young woman she had been. This blog has tips for other people planning funerals for teens.