Flowers for All Occasions 101

Funeral Arrangements for the Dearly Departed

We've talked about the basics of floristry in our previous articles. We talked about the aspects of design used in crafting lovely flower arrangements. Now, we learn how to apply these principles in real life. Celebrations are so much brighter and beautiful with a gorgeous choice of flowers. We're here to help you get started on two of the most common gatherings that come hand in hand with flowers.

In this article we discuss funeral flowers From the planning step to the wake. From choosing 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 supply stylish arrangements for the grieving family. See our next article for an overview of must-have essentials for every florist.

Making Arrangements with the Client

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

Flowers in Commemoration

There's no single way to console someone who has just lost their loved one. But there are a lot of ways to show your sympathy to a grieving family. Ask them if they would like specific 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 want to pay respect by having the funeral in their own house. Whatever the case, make sure to ask how large the room or venue will be. This way, you can prepare ahead for your designs and arrangements. Better yet, set up an ocular viewing of the venue. This is especially vital if they'll do the wake in their home. With these measurements, you'll be able to make arrangements with the proper size.

Size and Headcount

How many guests are they counting on? How many tables are there, and what size? What's the size of the coffin? Any other area your customer 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 so often. This way, you get to keep them fresh and fragrant for guests.

Budget and Timeline

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

Read all about Origin of Flowers in our next article.