Choosing Funeral Flowers

Most people love to see lots of fresh, colourful flowers at the funeral of a loved one and the sympathy cards attached to the wreaths or tributes are often treasured for many years .

When chosen carefully floral tributes can say more than words but often it is difficult to know what to send. Here’s a quick guide to help you.

• Close family usually select the Coffin Spray or a Name Tribute so unless you are very close to the deceased leave these alone
• Sometime the family will request a certain colour theme, if possible you should respect this request
• If there are no colour restrictions try to choose colours which reflect either the deceased or yourself
• Don’t worry about the meaning of certain flowers, just choose those you like or those you think the deceased would have liked
• There are lots of funeral flowers available at florists, ranging from simple sheaths, wreaths of all sizes, names spelt out, heart shapes, ball shapes, the list goes on
• Bear in mind that florists may have to substitute certain flowers in funeral wreaths depending on the time of the year.

To order funeral flowers online have a look at the following:

Memorials

It is important to most people to have a lasting memorial to remember their loved ones. A memorial provides a place to visit, to lay flowers or to just sit and remember.

There are lots of memorials to choose from for the cemetary as well as for cremation, there are also special memorials for children. Here is a selection of companies specialising in memorials:

• Co-operative Funeralcare 
• Memorials of Distinction
• McGarry Memorials – based in Manchester, UK

As well as the traditional memorials there are other ways to remember a loved one. The most popular way is to donate money in the memory of someone special, you can do that here:

• Barnardos.org.uk – donote in memory
• The Woodlands Trust – dedicate a tree

Another way to remember is to create online memorials, here are a few popular sites:

• GoneTooSoon is a not-for-profit organisation which enables anyone to create a free online memorial, leave a lasting tribute or light a candle for a much loved relative or friend who has passed away.
• MuchLoved is a registered charity working for bereaved people worldwide. We are here to help you create sensitive, personalised and lasting memorial websites in memory of your loved ones.
• Light up a Life – This site aims to provide you with a full listing of the hundreds of community-based ‘Light up a Life’ events which will be taking place across the country this winter. Light up a Life is the name given to a series of special events organised by local hospices. These events offer an opportunity to remember, celebrate and light a candle in memory of a loved one. By entering the postcode or place name and clicking on the search button on the right, you will find full details of the Light up a Life events taking place in your area. You can also use this website to light a virtual candle in memory of a loved one.

Raw Garden are an online gardening company who also sell Memorial Benches. Commemmorating a loved one, a charitable donation or just a personalised gift, Raw Garden can supply a range of top quality benches from £185.94 to £699.99 that will stand the test of time as well as tribute! Click here to see more details.