Flowers for All Occasions 101

Funeral Arrangements for the Dearly Departed

We've talked about the basics of floristry in our earlier articles. Then we discussed the aspects of design used in making exquisite flower arrangements. Now, we learn how to apply these ideas 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.

For this article we talk about funeral flowers From the planning phase to the wake. From choosing the theme with your clients up to the delivery or pickup of their orders. We've put together a handy primer for handling orders for a funeral. We'll help you produce classy 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 correctly, are an excellent way of commemorating the loss of a loved one. It's also a way to show profound sympathy for the family left behind. Creating floral tributes for them will help them express themselves in a hard time. It goes without saying, florists must take careful note of every detail. This will help make the process of planning go as smoothly as possible. Here are a couple of things florists need to know for planning funeral floral decor.

Flowers in Commemoration

There's no one way to console 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 certain flowers included, or what their loved one's favorite blooms are. Keep the arrangement as personal and intimate as possible as a tribute to the departed.

Venue

Funeral services are usually held at funeral parlors. 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. That way, you can prepare ahead for your arrangements and designs. Better yet, schedule an ocular viewing of the venue. If they'll do the wake in their home, this is especially important. 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 several days. You may need to change the flowers from time to time. That way, you get to keep them fragrant and fresh for guests.

Budget and Timeline

Needless to say, 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 client to make sure all flowers and designs you've chosen are up to their standards.

Read all about Art Of Floristry in our next article.