How to preserve flowers

Funeral flower etiquette

Sending flowers is a thoughtful gesture, so anyone can do it. But it’s best to respect the family’s wishes. The first place you should look is the obituary, which should say if the family would prefer flowers or a donation in lieu of flowers.

It’s also important to consider what type of flowers are appropriate to send. If a modest coffin spray is the only floral tribute at the funeral, it might not be appropriate to send an overly elaborate wreath or floral tribute. Flowers that can be placed at the gravesite might be more fitting.

But whenever you do send flowers, remember to include a handwritten note or card. These touching words can provide a family with much-needed comfort during one of the most difficult times in their lives.

Another important thing to consider when buying funeral flowers is the different meanings flowers hold. To help avoid embarrassment or cause offence to the bereaved family, you should do your research beforehand. For example, in many Asian cultures yellow and white flowers are deemed most appropriate and signify death. Whereas red flowers, a colour associated with happiness or luck, should be avoided.

Why do people preserve funeral flowers?

Attending a funeral is an emotionally charged experience. The intense sense of grief and loss we feel can manifest itself in a variety of ways, such as crying, disbelief, shock, and even anger or regret.

So, the decision to preserve funeral flowers as a memento of that day isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. For some, any reminder of a loved one’s funeral will be too upsetting. But for others, this can provide much-needed comfort and help to capture the essence of their loved one’s spirit.

It’s important to remember that flowers at a funeral aren’t only a decorative choice. They are symbolic of our love and respect for the person that has died. Preserving these flowers helps to protect the sentiment and thought that went into choosing a specific floral arrangement.

Below are some tips to help you preserve the beauty of funeral flowers.

Tips for keeping flowers alive for as long as possible

Decorating your home with fresh flowers brings pops of colour and fresh scents. But when the flowers are taken from the funeral of a loved one, they take on added significance.

Here some tips to help keep your flowers fresher for longer:

• Cut the stems: even if you got your flowers directly from a florist, you should always cut the stem. Cut 1 – 2 inches off at a 45-degree angle to allow them to absorb as much water as possible.
• Choose the right vase: flowers need space to spread out and thrive, so choose a vase or container that is proportionate to their size. Smaller, more delicately picked flowers will suit a taller, slender container.
• Remove leaves below the waterline: removing any excess leaves below the waterline will allow your flower to open fully and create a healthier looking flower. Check daily for any dead or loose leaves to prevent bacterial rot from setting in.
• Change the water regularly: your flowers won’t last long without water, especially once the stems have been cut. Rather than watering regularly like you might do a with a houseplant, replace with fresh water every few days.
• Use flower food packet: if your flowers arrive with specialist feed, it makes sense to use it. But don’t worry if they come without, as you can make your own at home. Mix a tablespoon each of sugar and vinegar with 500ml of water and stir. The sugar will provide nutrients to the flowers and the vinegar will get rid of unwanted bacteria.
• Avoid direct sunlight and other heat sources: lastly, place your flowers in a dry, shaded spot in the house, as they do best in cool temperatures. Also, be sure to avoid spaces which have a draft, like window ledges, as this will dry them out.

How to press flowers

Another simple way of preserving the natural beauty of your funeral flowers is to press them. This involves drying your flowers to remove any moisture and flattening them with a book in between some newspaper. Once you’ve done this, you can frame the flowers and hang them up as lasting tribute to your loved one.

To get the best results you need to choose the right flowers. Pressing can cause the colour of flowers to fade, so we would advise choosing flowers that have just bloomed and are unblemished. Choosing flowers with flatter buds like daisies or wildflowers instead of roses might also yield better results.

Before you get started, here’s what you’ll need:

• Your flowers of choice
• Heavy books
• Newspaper
• Card
• A pen

Step 1: cut your flowers to your desired length, removing any unwanted leaves.

Step 2: choose a book big enough to fit your flowers length wise.

Step 3: line the inside of a book with newspaper, place your flowers face down and cover with another sheet of newspaper. Remember to leave enough space so your flowers don’t start to overlap.

Step 4: once all your flowers are placed between newspaper, carefully close the book, store in a warm dry place, and place some heavy books on top.

Step 5: the drying process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, so check regularly to see if they are fully dry.

Step 6: with the drying process now complete, you’re ready to frame your flowers. We’d advise using a clear glass frame for this to ensure your flowers are fully visible.

If you’re arranging a funeral and you’re not sure about what flowers you want, take a look at our Florist’s Choice collection.