How to Arrange Your Own Casket Flowers

Casket flowers sit atop coffins during funerals and wakes.

Casket flower arrangements, or casket sprays, sit atop coffins to display during a wake or funeral. Depending on the style of the casket floral design, the types of blooms vary. Making your own casket flower arrangements proves to be a creative and personal alternative to purchasing pre-arranged flowers along with funeral arrangements. Whether you use fresh flowers or artificial blooms, making your own casket flower arrangement provides a casket with a beautiful, handmade accent of flora and foliage.

Things You'll Need

• Styrofoam rectangular base (12 inches long by 6 inches wide) Florist wire roll Scissors Assorted small flowers (about 50) Assorted large flowers (about 20) Silk ribbon (24 inches long)

Instructions

1. Snip a 6-inch length of wire from a florist wire roll. Do this for each and every flower.

2. Wrap each flower stem in a spiral formation with the florist wire. Make sure about 3 inches of wire protrude from the bottom of each flower stem.

3. Insert the largest flowers into the center top of the Styrofoam rectangle base. Do this by inserting the wire into the base and firmly pushing until the stem goes into it slightly.

4. Surround the large flowers by inserting the small blossoms into the base around them. Make sure to insert the wired-end flowers into the sides of the rectangular base as well in tight clusters.

5. Wrap the 24-inch length of silk ribbon around the top of the base and secure it into a long and simple bow. Pull the loops of the bow from under the flowers and allow them to show at the base. The resulting arrangement will add a memorable touch to a loved one's final rest.

6. Place the arranged casket spray directly on the top center of the casket. The spreading array of blossoms will serve as a beautiful focal point for the casket during a funeral or casket viewing.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a variety of flower types for your casket flowers such as calla lilies, roses, violets, sunflowers, carnations and a plethora of others. Flowers like calla lilies are commonly used in funerals and sympathy arrangements, as they are believed to symbolize death, condolences and beauty. Flower colors also convey meaning. White symbolizes purity and innocence, and purple symbolizes respect.

References

• Save On Crafts: Basic Flower Arrangements
• Flower Category: Flower Meanings
• Flower Category: Flower Color Meanings