what to do with funeral flowers

2 min read 31-01-2025

Funeral flowers are a powerful symbol of love, remembrance, and sympathy. They offer comfort to grieving families and beautifully adorn the funeral service, but what happens to these floral tributes after the service concludes? This guide provides practical and meaningful options for what to do with funeral flowers, ensuring you honor the deceased and manage the arrangements with grace and respect.

Understanding the Sentimental Value of Funeral Flowers

Before discussing practicalities, it's important to acknowledge the emotional weight attached to funeral flowers. These aren't just flowers; they're expressions of love, condolences, and final farewells. Many families find comfort in keeping a memento of these floral tributes, preserving a tangible reminder of the support received during a difficult time.

Options for Handling Funeral Flowers:

Here are several options to consider after the funeral service has concluded:

1. Keeping a Memento:

Preserve individual flowers: Certain flowers, particularly those with sturdy petals, can be pressed and preserved in a scrapbook or framed. This allows you to keep a cherished keepsake from the funeral.
Create a dried arrangement: Many florists offer drying services, allowing you to transform a large arrangement into a lasting keepsake.
Take cuttings: Consider taking cuttings from specific flowers to plant in your garden. This creates a living memorial, a place where you can reflect and remember your loved one.

2. Sharing the Flowers:

Donate to a nursing home or hospital: Many healthcare facilities welcome floral donations to brighten the rooms of patients and residents. This act of kindness extends the beauty and positivity of the flowers, transforming sadness into something positive.
Repurpose for a smaller arrangement: After the funeral, rearrange the flowers into smaller, more manageable bouquets to share with close friends and family. This allows you to spread the beauty and sentimentality among those who need it most.
Give to attendees: If feasible and appropriate, you could offer smaller portions of the arrangements to attendees as they depart the funeral service. This personal touch can provide them with a comforting reminder of the occasion.

3. Responsible Disposal:

Composting: If you prefer not to keep or share the flowers, composting provides an eco-friendly method of disposal. Flowers can enrich the soil and return to nature.
Professional disposal: Some funeral homes or florists offer professional disposal services, handling the flowers with respect and care.

4. Remembering the Deceased Through Future Plantings:

Planting a memorial tree or shrub: Consider planting a tree or shrub in memory of your loved one. This creates a living memorial that grows and thrives over time, symbolizing the enduring legacy of the deceased.
Creating a memorial garden: A dedicated space in your garden planted with flowers and plants reminiscent of the deceased's favorite blooms can serve as a peaceful and beautiful tribute.

Choosing the Best Option:

The optimal approach to handling funeral flowers depends on personal preferences and practical considerations. Factors such as the size of the arrangement, the type of flowers, and the emotional state of the family should be considered when making this decision. There's no right or wrong choice—the most important factor is to honor the memory of the deceased in a way that feels meaningful and respectful. Prior discussion with the family can help facilitate the process and ensure everyone's needs are addressed.

Remember, the flowers are a symbol of remembrance and the love shared. Choose the option that best allows you to honor this memory in a way that feels most comforting and appropriate.