Sympathy Flowers

Sympathy Flowers• Important segment of retail

business

• pieces sent to the funeral home

• permanent flowers and potted plants for cemetery

Sympathy flowers• “bread and butter” income

for shops

• not a seasonal sale

• needed throughout the year

Sympathy flowers• provide steady income for

the florist

• competition among shops is keen

Sympathy flowers• area customs and traditions

are important

• must cooperate with customer and funeral home

Sympathy flowers• sent as a tribute to the

deceased

• an expression of love and sympathy for the surviving family

Sympathy flowers• orders are taken, designed

and delivered quickly

• can require extra hours on evenings and weekends

Sympathy flowers• family members will usually

speak with the florist to order the main arrangements

• casket sprays

Sympathy flowers• family may need to rely on

the florist for assistance in choosing flowers and style

Basic designs• size and style vary based

upon customer request

• most common include:

• casket sprays

• standing sprays

Basic designs• wreaths

• baskets

• arrangements

• green and blooming plants

Each piece• is tagged with a card giving

the name of the deceased and the sender

Each piece• double cards are popular -

half of the card is given to the family, the other half stays on the arrangement

Card• includes a description of the

piece

• this helps family to remember the piece when sending acknowledgements

Card• address of sender may also

be included

Casket sprays• also called covers

• sits on the lid of the casket

• most elaborate piece

• generally purchased by the closest family members

Casket sprays• three sizes

• full couch

• three quarters

• half couch

Casket sprays• 3/4 and 1/2 are the most popular

• full couch are the most expensive and difficult to handle if the casket is to be opened.

Sprays• most popular piece ordered

• may be single or double

• single spray has a bow at one end with flowers extending to the other end

Sprays• designed to be displayed on a

special frame that holds up to one dozen sprays along the sides or end of the casket

Sprays• single are less expensive than

double sprays and wreaths

• offers customer a broad price range

• price is determined by the type of flowers used

Sprays• a bow is added and filler

flowers are placed around the bow and between the primary flowers

Sprays• double sprays are called standing

sprays

• they are displayed on wire easels.

• Dixon picks attach the styrofoam to the easel

Sprays• two wooden picks attached

on opposite ends of a flexible metal strip

• double sprays are often placed alongside the casket

Sprays• usually an oval, diamond, or

triangular shape

• bow is placed in the center with flowers extending in both directions

Sprays• may be hand tied with the

natural stems showing

• do not have a source of water and must be delivered the day of the funeral

Sprays• hand tied are not practical for

this reason

• many use floral foam soaked in preservative and water

• flowers stay fresh longer

Sprays• a block of styrofoam may

also be used

• this adds strength to the arrangement

• makes delivery easier

Sprays• flowers are placed in water

picks and inserted into the styrofoam

Wreaths• constructed in a similar

manner to sprays

• wreath forms are made of styrofoam, straw, or plastic casing filled with floral foam

Wreaths• may also use natural

grapevine wreaths

• range in size from 12 - 30 inches in diameter

Wreaths• may add accessories to the

center

• bibles are popular - taken home by the family as a memento

Baskets• plastic, metal, papier mache

• grapevine may also be used

• often a plastic liner is used inside the basket to hold water

Baskets• most common flowers

• gladioli

• carnations

• mums

• poppons

Baskets• roses and lillies may be

added to increase the value of the basket

• arrangement is usually triangular or fan shaped

Baskets• bows are often added

• script is often added to the ribbon streamer

• Mother, Father

• Friend, Grandfather etc.

Other designs• many times florists are asked

to incorporate an insignia or logo of a group or club which the deceased belonged to

Other designs• hearts and crosses are popular

• living plants

• blooming plants

• potted plants are decorated with bows