Non-Florist Funeral Flower Options
Non-Florist Funeral Flower Options
To send a quick and easy display of funeral flowers, most people turn to a florist. And no wonder—these companies have a large stock of flowers and gift baskets, and they are experienced at working with funeral homes to make the process as streamlined as possible. After all, the last thing you want to worry about during this stressful time is whether or not your arrangement made it to the funeral on time.
However, not everyone cares to use a florist—and that is okay. Whether you cannot afford to splurge on a delivery, or if you would rather look into local flower options, there are choices available to you.
- Paper Flowers: A growing trend among brides (and funeral-goers) is the paper flower revolution. Using careful folding and cutting techniques, artisans can create lifelike bouquets that last for years. Although this option will not save you money, it will provide a keepsake that will be around long after the funeral ends.
- DIY Bouquets: There is no reason why you cannot make your own funeral flower display. Although we would not recommend trying to make one of the more complicated wreath or cross displays (unless you have done it before), you can hit the local grocery stores and farmer’s markets to find fresh flowers that you can arrange in a vase of your own choosing. You can bring it to the funeral home or deliver it to the family personally.
- Garden Bounty: One of the nicest ways to show your support is to take flowers from your own garden—especially if the deceased was a fan of gardening. There is nothing wrong with a wildflower display picked from local fields, either, since this personal touch can mean so much to a grieving family.
- Succulents: Cactuses and other succulent plants do not always have the same vibrancy as a funeral flower display, but they can be quite breathtaking—especially in the right setting. The subdued colors might also work well when you want your gift to be in keeping with the tone of the day. Cactus can also be a good choice if the deceased lived in or had an affinity for the desert landscape.
- Fruit Baskets: One of the reasons people love to send flowers to a funeral is because they provide a pop of color and a way to decorate a funeral home in a way that is personal and meaningful. A decorative fruit basket can do the same thing—and it has the added bonus of being edible. Towering oranges, an exotic fruit basket, or even a harvest bucket full of freshly picked apples might be a perfect and useful gift at this time.
It is important to also remember that you do not have to send funeral flowers if you do not want to. A condolence card, a gift basket, a casserole, and/or an offer of help with the housework can just as easily show your love and support—and without requiring you to go through a florist.
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