Remember your loved one with flowers

Flowers at a funeral can significantly aid with the bereavement process.

Traditionally used to express emotion, they can also breathe life into even the darkest of moments.

There are many options available for organising flowers for a funeral, which means if you don’t know much about flowers or floristry the entire process can be very overwhelming.

Carole Patilla is a florist and grower at Tuckshop Flowers and West Midlands regional co-ordinator of Flowers From the Farm (www.flowersfromthefarm. co.uk).

She says: “Popular flower choices for funerals include lilies, roses, chrysanthemums and carnations,” Carole says, but although tradition recognises these flowers for their popularity, there is no right or wrong flower to have at a funeral.

“Funeral flower designs should start with a person and a conversation with those who loved them.”

Now more people are choosing something a bit less traditional but just as beautiful for their funeral.

Carole adds, “Of course there are those for whom a classic spray of beautiful lilies would be the perfect choice, but for those wanting something wild, natural and more unbound, there are an increasing number of florists now starting to cater for this more ‘untraditional’ market,” she explains.

A beautiful display of flowers doesn’t have to cost a fortune either – the symbolic nature of the flowers is worth far more than any financial figure.

“Sometimes the simplest posy, or an arrangement created with flowers picked directly from a garden lovingly tended by the person who has died may be more potent than £500 worth of stunning orchids.

“The best choices of funeral flowers are those that reflect the person they are celebrating.”