How to Select a Flowers for a Casket

Selecting flowers for a casket is a different from choosing flowers for bereavement. If you're choosing flowers for the casket, you are probably a close loved one of the deceased. Decision making is difficult under such circumstances, and thinking clearly may be next to impossible for you. The floral designer at the funeral home or flower shop will offer suggestions, but you should prepare yourself ahead of time. You'll have the best chance of getting what you want for the price you can afford if you know what to consider beforehand.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find a reputable flower shop with a floral designer who has a lot of experience designing funeral flowers. You don't want to trust a final tribute with amateurs.

2. Consider what the type of arrangement your loved one would have liked. Going with his favorite flowers is the perfect choice. You can also pick flowers that remind you of him and his personality. Symmetrical arrangements look more formal, and abstract arrangements are bold. Free form arrangements are more casual or even whimsical.

3. Consider the size of the arrangement. If the casket will be open, choose a flower arrangement that sits comfortably on foot end of the casket. If the casket will be closed, you have the entire casket top to fill. For a child's casket, keep the arrangement small; a large flower arrangement will accentuate the minimal size of the casket. This could cause additional emotional pain to the grieving family.

4. Choose a floral design that goes well with the color and design of the casket. You do not need to match the colors of the flowers to the casket. As your florist will tell you, even odd color combinations tend to look good. However, an ornate casket may be complimented by a more detailed arrangement. A simpler casket may look good with an uncomplicated arrangement. If you feel confused, ask your floral designer for advice.

5. Ask if the flowers in the arrangement you've chosen come in different colors. You can often customize the colors of the floral design you've chosen to suit your own preferences. Though some people will tell you that only pastels are appropriate for funerals, you should feel free to choose any colors you like.

6. Ask your floral designer which flowers are in season. Out of season flowers must be imported from other parts of the globe. That can get very expensive.

7. Choose a complimentary easel arrangement, if you need one. This is the flower arrangement that stands on an easel to the side of the casket. The easel flowers do not need to match the casket flowers, but they should look good together. If the venue for the funeral will be grand, a larger easel arrangement will look best. Once again, you can substitute less expensive flowers for more precious blooms. If the venue is smal, or if you are expecting a lot of flowers as gifts, consider skipping the easel arrangement in order to cut funeral costs.

Tips & Warnings

• Compare flower selection and prices at at least three floral shops. Ask friends for recommendations.
• Don't be tempted to buy flowers from the mortuary or cemetery flower shop without comparing prices at other flower shops first.

Resources

• Funeral Flowers—Common Questions and Answers
• Choosing Appropriate Funeral Flowers