Flowers for All Occasions 101

Funeral Arrangements for the Dearly Departed

We've discussed the basics of floristry in our previous articles. We went over the aspects of design used in making exquisite flower arrangements. Now, we learn how to apply these principles in real life. Gatherings are so much brighter and exquisite with a fantastic choice of flowers. We're here to help you get started on two of the most common occasions that come hand in hand with flowers.

For this article we talk about funeral flowers From the planning phase to the wake. From deciding on the theme with your clients up to the delivery or pickup of their orders. We've created a handy primer for handling orders for a funeral. We'll help you produce stylish arrangements for the grieving family. See our following article for an overview of must-have essentials for every florist.

Making Arrangements with the Client

Flower arrangements, when done correctly, are an excellent way of commemorating the loss of a loved one. It's also a way to show deep sympathy for the family left behind. Creating floral tributes for them will allow them to express themselves in a hard time. It goes without saying, florists should take careful note of every detail. This will help make the process of preparing go as smoothly as possible. Here are a couple of things florists want to know for planning funeral floral decor.

Flowers in Commemoration

There's no one way to comfort someone who has just lost their loved one. But there are a bunch of ways to show your sympathy to a grieving family. Ask if they would like particular flowers included, or what their loved one's favorite flowers are. Keep the arrangement as intimate and personal as possible as a tribute to the departed.

Venue

Wakes are usually held at funeral homes. But some people prefer to pay respect by having the funeral in their own home. Whatever the case, make sure to ask how large the room or venue will be. This way, you can prepare ahead for your arrangements and designs. Even better, plan an ocular viewing of the venue. This is especially essential if they'll do the wake in their home. With these measurements, you'll be able to make arrangements with the right size.

Size and Headcount

How many guests are they expecting? How many tables are there, and what size? What's the size of the coffin? Any other area your client wants decorated? Every bit of information is vital for the perfect flower arrangements. Wakes usually stretch over a few days. You may need to change the flowers every now and then. This way, you get to keep them fragrant and fresh for guests.

Budget and Timeline

Of course, you'll want to know how much your customer has budgeted the funeral's flower arrangements. This way, you can plan and provide top quality service within their budget. Determine a timeline for planning and delivery of the flower arrangements. Keep in contact with your customer to make sure all designs and flowers you've chosen are up to their standards.

Read all about Origins of Flowers and the Industry in our next article.