What to Do With Flowers From a Funeral: A Guide to Honoring the Deceased
Receiving flowers after a funeral is a poignant gesture of sympathy and remembrance. These floral tributes often hold deep sentimental value, but what do you do with them after the service concludes? This guide offers several thoughtful and respectful options for handling funeral flowers, helping you honor the deceased while managing the practicalities.
H2: Can I keep the funeral flowers?
Absolutely! Keeping funeral flowers is a perfectly acceptable way to honor the memory of the deceased. Many find comfort in keeping a single bloom or a small arrangement as a lasting memento. You can press individual flowers to preserve them indefinitely or simply enjoy their beauty in a vase while they last. Consider placing them in a special spot in your home as a constant reminder of your loved one.
H2: What if the flowers are too many to keep?
Receiving an abundance of flowers is common at larger funerals. If you find yourselves with more flowers than you can practically manage, there are several excellent alternatives:
H3: Donate them to a local hospice or hospital: These facilities often welcome floral donations to brighten the days of patients and staff. Contact your local hospice or hospital beforehand to check their policies regarding flower donations.
H3: Repurpose them: Funeral flowers can be repurposed in beautiful and meaningful ways. You could:
- Create a compost: This is an environmentally friendly option that allows you to return the flowers to nature.
- Use the petals in crafts: Dried petals can be used to create beautiful art projects, such as pressed flower art or potpourri.
- Replant the flowers (if possible): If the flowers contain plant material suitable for replanting, consider doing so. This can serve as a lasting memorial in your garden.
H2: Should I throw away funeral flowers?
While it might seem like the most straightforward option, discarding funeral flowers feels disrespectful to many. However, if you've exhausted other options and the flowers are beyond saving or repurposing, it's understandable. Remember that the gesture of the flowers and the sentiment behind them remain, regardless of what happens to the blooms themselves.
H2: How long do funeral flowers last?
The lifespan of funeral flowers varies depending on the type of flowers used, their freshness at the time of delivery, and the care they receive. Generally, cut flowers will last from a few days to a week or two. Proper care, such as keeping them in fresh water and trimming the stems, will prolong their life.
H2: Is it disrespectful to remove flowers from a funeral?
Removing flowers from a funeral service, particularly before it concludes, is generally considered disrespectful. The flowers are part of the memorial service and should remain in place until the service is over. After the service concludes, handling the flowers as described above is perfectly acceptable.
H2: What's the etiquette surrounding funeral flowers?
Funeral flower etiquette is largely about respect for the deceased and their family. Offering flowers is a gesture of sympathy, and handling them with care after the service reflects that respect. There's no single "right" way to handle them; choosing an option that feels respectful and comfortable to you is key.
Remember, the most important aspect is honoring the memory of the deceased and offering comfort to the bereaved. Whether you keep a single bloom, donate the arrangement, or compost the flowers, your thoughtful consideration is what truly matters.
