How to Design Funeral Flower Arrangements

Funeral flowers give comfort to mourners at a funeral home, church or graveside. Flowers are a sign of life and beauty. Family members rely on the floral bouquets for a distraction of sorts during visiting hours and the funeral services. With their beauty and written messages, the flowers gently remind the bereaved that others care about them and are holding them close in their thoughts and prayers. Funeral flowers are important as a show of both comfort and sympathy.

Instructions

1. Put floral arrangements in glass or plastic containers that go on the collapsible shelving units that surround the casket or photo displays at funeral homes and church services. The flowers should be more sedate than arrangements you would make for weddings, gifts and anniversaries. Simple white satin bows add an elegant finished touch to a funeral design.

2. Arrange round or triangular shaped bouquets for papier mache containers that can be on display at a funeral home, church or grave site service. Papier mache containers are round or curve-shaped and are perfect for cemetery arrangements.

3. Choose gladiolus, carnations, chrysanthemum ball mums, poms, daisies, snapdragons and stock flowers for funeral bouquets. Go with the freshest blossoms possible when you design funeral flower arrangements. Silk flower arrangements make keepsake bouquets that can be taken to family homes or senior care facilities after the funeral.

4. Ask the family if you could make a casket pillow. Use a foam shape or heart forms for this main arrangement, which will be set at the head of the casket. Be sure to ribbon wrap the sides of the foam pieces to give them a more complete look. You could also plan a casket spray of favorite or mixed flowers from children, grandchildren or other close family members.

5. Choose colors that match the season, gender and known favorites of the person who has passed away. When working with the family of the deceased, be sure to give color and flower choice advice and listen to any details or information they can give to you.

6. Choose a mixture of flowers to arrange in large spray displays for visiting hours, wakes and funeral services. Be sure to use flowers that hold up well with sturdy stems. Wire any roses or more delicate flowers if they have been requested to be placed in a spray display.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep photographs of any floral arrangements that you make for a portfolio.

• Never take a chance on using flowers that are not fresh.

Resources

• Sympathy flowers