How to Make a Casket Saddle

Funeral flowers

One of the final tributes a family pays to a loved one is the funeral or memorial service. The family will provide special floral pieces at the funeral. The focal piece is often the casket spray, which is generally ordered or made by the children or grandchildren of the deceased. The foundation of a casket saddle fits on the sloping cover of the coffin. The flowers in the casket saddle rest on the casket. Stems filled with blossoms extend out, blanketing the casket cover.

Things You'll Need

• Casket saddle form
• Floral foam
• 1 dozen snapdragons
• 1 dozen carnations
• 6 stalks of daisies
• 10 to 20 iris stems
• 1 bunch leather leaf greenery
• Cedar or asparagus fern sprigs
• Baby's breath, statice, heather or asters (optional)
• Large ribbon bow

Instructions

1. 

   Snapdragons work well in a casket spray.

   Soak two floral foam blocks in water for at least an hour. Set them into the casket saddle base and secure them in place with waterproof floral adhesive tape. For a smaller saddle use one block of foam.
   Set the saddle onto a large flat work surface.

2. Insert leather leaf stems into the sides of the foam. Drape the greenery down over the saddle form to cover it.

3. Cut two snapdragon stems at 18 to 20 inches long. Insert one at each side of the floral foam. The stem should be inserted into the middle of each foam end. The stalks will drape down onto the work surface.
   Insert two snapdragons in the center front of the foam with the ends at an angle toward the far sides of the foam. When viewed with the end snapdragons you will see a V shape on each side of the foam. Add two snapdragons at angles at the back of the foam.

4. Cut and insert iris, carnations and daisies at 6- to 10-inch heights to fill in the top, front and sides of the foam. Daisy stems can be separated and individual flowers can be inserted in some areas.

5. Step back and view the casket saddle. Look for gaps in the large floral piece and fill them in with more flowers, greenery and fillers such as baby's breath, statice, heather or asters.

6. Insert a ribbon bow into the front center or side of the floral piece.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut the flower stems on a slant.

• You can write Mother, Father, Grandmother, Grandfather or other message onto the cascading ribbon tail with a glitter glue pen. Let dry thoroughly.

References

• Funeral Homes Guide: Common arrangement styles
• Funeral & Sympathy Flowers: Floral sprays and wreaths
• Funerals & Flowers: Funeral Flowers

Resources

• Funeral Wise: Funeral flower etiquette
• The Bloomery: Sympathy tributes