A Florist’s Guide on Caring for Funeral Flowers

No matter how prepared you are for the loss of a loved one, saying goodbye will be difficult. Flowers may help you express your condolences to grieving family members while also demonstrating that you care about and remember them during this difficult time.

Since most floral arrangements for funerals are expected to last for a few days through the wake and memorial service, it is imperative that you keep them fresh the entire time. The following flower care suggestions are provided by reputable florists for funeral homes in Roseville, CA:

1. At home, fill your bathtub with water up to a few inches and add several trays of ice cubes.

2. Remove the old water from the floral arrangement and soak it in the ice water for 10 minutes. Make sure that it is completely submerged.

3. For funeral flowers that are not in floral foam, remove the flowers from the vase, chop off half-inch from the stems, and replace the old water with fresh ice water.

4. At the memorial site, remove the wreath or floral spray from the casket or stand and submerge it in a large container of water.

FUN FACT: A wreath organized in a circular shape symbolizes everlasting life.

5. If there’s no container available nearby, take the wreath to the restroom and replace the old water with fresh water.

6. Mist the arrangement with water. Make to remove all dead flowers and replace them with fresh ones.

NOTE: Our contact florist suggests keeping a few extra flowers, such as white roses, lilies, or carnations, on hand for substitution.

7. Shake the arrangement to remove excess water and then dry up the bottom of the container. Most importantly, keep your casket flowers away from heat sources like the sun, radiators, and heating vents.

History of Funeral Flowers

Placing flowers around the dead is almost as old as mankind. One of the earliest proofs of funeral flowers was made by Dr. Ralph Solecki who, in 1951, discovered several flowers in the famous burial site of Shanidar Cave in Northern Iraq. Locals plucked wildflowers and laid them at the burial site over 62,000 years ago, which is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest form of a human ceremony.

According to scientists, the first flowers offered at a funeral ceremony were given as a symbol of life cycles from birth to death, as well as, more practically, to mask the smell of decay since there was no embalming in the early days. Today, flowers are used to show condolences when no words can explain how you feel about someone else’s death.

Todd Van Beck, a funeral educator, consultant, and historian, also observed that sleep and death were frequently connected throughout human history and that this sleep frequently took place amid a garden full of flowers. Today, cemeteries usually feature a garden-like design, comparable to the one where Jesus was put to rest.

Whether separately or sequentially, need funeral services then cremation, feel free to contact our team. They’re among the best from all funeral homes in Roseville, CA, and can provide you with insightful information tailored to your budget.