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Five and a half meaningful ideas on how to reuse, regift and immortalize funeral flowers
There’s nearly always a place for flowers in life’s celebratory moments – births, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, starting a new job or leaving an old one.
And of course they make an appearance at that final end-of-life celebration: the funeral.
Of all of the bouquets and floral arrangements you’re likely to gift or receive, organizing funeral flowers will be the hardest. The flowers you choose and the way they’re arranged can symbolize the life and character of that special someone. They can also reflect our personal feelings of loss and sadness.
With so much thought and care going into them, throwing them in the trash after the service feels callous and wasteful. But what can you do with funeral flowers once they’ve served their purpose?
Five (and a half) ideas for what to do with funeral flowers
Finding ideas for what to do with funeral flowers may be part of the grieving process. There’s nothing strange about searching for ways your flowers can live on beyond the service. Seeing floral tributes for your loved ones used in other ways can offer continued joy and even bring greater comfort.
Below are (just over) five ideas for what to do with funeral flowers. Whether you want to keep them as a lasting memento or find a completely new purpose for them, we hope you find inspiration in these simple yet touching suggestions.
1. Take them home and make fresh arrangements
Cut flowers have the potential to bring weeks of joy. After the service, take the arrangements and bouquets home and, if they’ve been placed into crosses, wreaths or large splays, carefully deconstruct them. You then have the freedom to make fresh arrangements using your own vases and jars. Got more flowers than your home can handle? Consider making smaller arrangements and gifting them to family and close friends.
And without wanting to sound too brass tacks about things funeral flowers can be pricey, especially if you choose a large arrangement or spray. Taking them home gives you the opportunity to enjoy them to their fullest.
2. Dry or press the flowers to keep as a ‘forever tribute’
Drying or pressing flowers is a fairly simple process you can do at home. All you need is a little time and patience. We’ve put together a short guide on drying roses (which works for other flowers, too). And there’s a great step-by-step guide from the UK’s Natural History Museum on how to press flowers. Once you’re done you can display them in vases, jars or frames.
2.1 Turn them into meaningful keepsakes
If you’re feeling more creative, once the flowers have been dried or pressed you could transform them into a more meaningful keepsake. For example, with the help of a jeweler the flowers can be incorporated into a bangle, locket, brooch or ring. If you have a lot of flowers, you may consider making a batch of candles. Gift them to friends and family to use as an ongoing tribute to the memory of the person who passed. Finally, if you’re arty—or know someone who is—then why not create a lasting piece of artwork that incorporates the flowers, frame it and hang it somewhere special in your home?
3. Share their beauty
Not wanting to keep the funeral flowers is also completely understandable. If this is the case, seek out community centers, churches, nursing homes or even local businesses who can put them to use. While they may represent grieving and sadness to you, they could be just what someone else needs to brighten their day.
4. Make the most of their healing powers
You don’t need to convince us that plants and flowers have superpowers. But for any doubters, take a look at this 2008 study into their healing powers. This Kansas University research suggests that placing flowering plants and flowers in hospital rooms can help:
- lower blood pressure
- distract from pain
- ease anxiety
- speed up post-operation recovery.
So as well as brightening up a room, your funeral flowers can help someone feel physically better. And the really good news? There are lots of hospitals and medical centers in Las Vegas to donate them to.
A note on re-gifting flowers
Passing flowers on to bring joy to others is a noble and generous offer. But before turning up to your preferred center, business, hospital or aged care home, call ahead to ask if they’ll accept them. Rules and regulations on allergies, or current hygiene protocols, may mean they can’t accept flowers at a particular time. A quick call or email to a front desk or reception is all it takes. And some funeral homes already have connections with local facilities.
Also, it’s a great idea to:
- remove any personal cards nestled inside the arrangement
- deconstruct the arrangement (if they’re obviously funeral flowers).
5. Remember another loved one
Leaving some of the bouquets, wreaths or arrangements beside the person you’ve just said goodbye to makes sense. But if you have any left over, and find yourself thinking of another loved one or friend who’s passed (no matter how many years it’s been), you may want to place fresh flowers next to their grave too.
You could also regift the flowers for use in another funeral. While it may feel odd at first, if you really don’t know what to do with the funeral flowers after the service then donating them could brighten up the service of someone who otherwise wouldn’t have a floral tribute. Don’t be afraid to ask the funeral director or company you’re working with if this is possible.
Saying goodbye is never easy
Sympathy and funeral flowers can mean so much. From the flowers and colors you choose to the arrangement of the blooms they express sadness, celebrate a life, and can even bring comfort. At Gaia Flowers, we understand this may be one of the toughest, most sensitive floral orders you’ve ever needed to make. This is why our friendly, caring and experienced team will work with you to create a funeral wreath, spray or bouquet that reflects your wants and needs.
For inspiration, see our sympathy and funeral flowers. Or call us on 702-997-0222 to discuss a custom design.
