How to Preserve Funeral Flowers in an Acrylic Heart

Flowers can be used as a way to remember someone.

We use flowers to mark many occasions, including the passing of a loved one. At a funeral, it is traditional to bring many beautiful arrangements of flowers. Rather than throwing away the flowers after the funeral, it is possible to use the flowers to construct a keepsake that is both beautiful and tasteful as a reminder of the person for whom they were purchased. A clear acrylic heart ornament lends itself well to this simple craft.

Things You'll Need

• Flowers
• Scissors
• Airtight container
• Silica gel
• Wire
• Hollow acrylic heart ornament

Instructions

1. Select your flowers. You will only need a few for your heart. Choose flowers that are particularly good specimens as well as small enough to fit inside of your acrylic heart.

2. Cut the flowers with a scissors to remove any unwanted materials, like leaves, and to trim the stems.

3. Spread silica gel in the bottom of your container, at least 1/2-inch deep. Carefully place your flowers on top. If they are particularly delicate, you can use wire to help them maintain their shapes.

4. Cover the flowers with more silica gel, spreading it around so that the flowers maintain their shape. You need about 1/2 inch of silica gel over the top of the flowers. Put a lid on the container; it needs to be fairly airtight.

5. Let the flowers dry for at least a week.

6. Remove the flowers and shake off the excess silica gel.

7. Open your acrylic heart and arrange the flowers inside. Close the heart.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cannot find silica gel or need a lower-cost dessicant, sand, sawdust, cornstarch or even kitty litter can be used.

• The flowers will last longer if they are not in direct sunlight.

• A ribbon makes a good hanger.

• Keep silica gel away from animals and small children.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Drying and Preserving Plant Materials