Memorial Ideas for After the Services

We often have customers that want to find a way to pay tribute to a loved one even after the service is over.

A few ways to do this are to purchase a Grave Saddle or Side Piece that can be displayed at the grave side.  Grave saddles can be placed on the tombstone or on the ground for a long lasting tribute.  These flowers are made of silk and will last for a long time.  This will provide comfort to the visitors that come to the graveside.  You will need to check with your caretaker to see what form of tributes are allowed and when.  Some of the graveyards in our area will only allow items on the ground during holidays or certain times of the year.

A Stepping Stone is a wonderful way to pay tribute to someone you love in your home or garden.  Stepping stones can be placed in your garden to give you a quite place to remember your loved one.  Our stones come with an optional easel for inside your home use.  These stones also make a very nice gift to send to the home or funeral.  We often suggest as stepping stone as a tribute at the visitation for someone who is looking for something unique.

This is one of our newest items.  It features "The Chain" written on the pages.  This is an actual book that has been weathered to look old and worn.  The poem has a beautiful picture for a back ground.  The book comes with it's own stand.  We recommend this for people who want to send a personal touch.  This book can be displayed on a mantle or on a small table. 

This memory box has openings all along the outside for pictures, poems, cards, and more.  The inside has 3 separate hanging photo albums.  Each one holds 12 pictures.  The inside also has an opening to store cards and memories.  We have also found it is a nice space for a plant, silk, or even an urn.  We think that this would make a wonderful gift.

This is a new creation for us.  We created this silk floral to hold an urn.  Then we discovered it was perfect for this angel we had in the shop.  The silk flowers are in the shape of a circle along the front.  The back then has taller flower that add height to the arrangement.  An urn can then be placed in the center.  This arrangement can be used at the service or in the home.  Another idea would be to place a picture frame inside the ring at a visitation or memorial service.

This is another top selling item for our shop.  We suggest this as a gift for someone who has lost a close friend or family member.  We think that on a particularly difficult day they could wrap up in this throw to give themselves comfort.  We normally wrap these up with a ribbon and have delivered them to homes and visitations. 

This angel would be beautiful in a garden full of flowers.  We have also had a few customers that wanted to use this inside as a tribute to a loved one.  This angel has beautiful coloring and is holding a small child.  The loss of a child is always difficult.  This could be given to a mother that has recently lost a child of any age.  It would provide great comfort to her in her time of need.

We get several requests for these crosses during the year.  We sell these for not only funerals but for tributes at the graveside.  Memorial day is the most popular time of year for these.  We have also had a request for these to mark milestones such as birthdays and special occasions in the life of the deceased.

We hope that this guide has given you a few ideas on how to pay tribute to a loved one.

If you are looking for a tribute for a funeral please see our selection guide.

With Deep Sympathy ~ A Selection Guide

Selecting flowers for a funeral is never an easy task.  We hope that this article will help you select the perfect expression of your sympathy.

When you call your florist they are going to have several questions for you.  They will want to know if you want the flowers to go home with the family or be left at the graveside as a tribute.  They will ask you if you want fresh flowers or a potted plant.  These questions are just the start of your florist helping you find the best sentiment for you.

Let's talk about a few different types of arrangements that you will be asked about.  This will help you have a picture in your head when your florist starts talking about types of arrangements.

Casket Spray

Measures: Measurements will vary depending on the style and flowers.  Normally it will stretch 2-3 feet in length and just about 12-15 inches high.

Sender: This is arrangement is normally chosen by the immediate family and reflects the style and taste of the deceased.

Price Range:  A standard casket spray will start at $150 and increase in price as more flowers, or high end flowers are added.

Post Service: This piece will stay with the casket through and after the service.

Personalization: A beautiful ribbon can be added to the spray to denote the roles the deceased played in life.  For example, Father, Brother, Husband, Son.

Easel Spray: 

Measure: About 4-5 feet tall

Sender: We find that family members prefer these arrangements along with businesses.  They are very large and make for a beautiful accent to the casket spray.

Price Range: You will find that a modest easel spray will start at $70.00 and increase in value as you add more, or higher end, flowers.

Post Service: These arrangements are normally left at the graveside.  This will bring comfort to friends and family who visit the deceased in the days after the funeral.

Personalize:  For family and friends you florist can add ribbons that denote your connection with the deceased.  For example, Sister or Friend.  These normally hang down a little past the lowest flower an excellent way to add a personal touch to the arrangement.

Funeral Mache 

Measures: 2-3 feet tall

Sender:  This piece is popular to a wide spectrum of senders.  It is appropriate for anyone to send.

Price Range: A standard mache will start at around $55.00 and increase in price as you add more, or higher end flowers.

Post Service: This piece is normally created in a plastic or disposable container so it is ideal to leave at the graveside.  Again this will provide comfort for those who visit the graveside in the days that follow the service.

Personalization:  A beautiful bow can be added with a ribbon that denotes the relationship you had with the deceased.  For example, Mother or Wife.

Mixed Vase

Measures: The size of the vase will vary in size.  Your florist can help you decide what is best for your price range and taste.  When ordering online be sure to look for measurements to insure that you select the right size for your taste.

Sender: Anyone.  This is one of the more common requests we receive for a funeral.

Price Range: A vase price is one of the most flexible price scales.  Your florist can help you select the prices and styles that fit your budget.

Post Service:  This arrangement will normally be sent home with a family member or close friend.  You can even request that the vase go home with a preselected individual.

Personalization:  It is possible for us to add a personalized ribbon.  This is not always recommended but can be done to larger, fuller, vases.

Dish Gardens and House Plants

Measurements & Price:  This will vary depending on what you and your florist decide is best for you.  Price ranges of plants can start at around $30 and increase as the type of plant and container change.

Sender: Anyone.  This is another of the most popular items we send for funerals.

Post Service:  The plant you select can be sent home with a specific individual if you wish.  It is typically given to a close friend or family member.

Personalization: Again this is not always recommended but can be added to larger plants and dish gardens.

Fruit Basket

Measures:  A fruit or food basket will vary in size depending on the items in the basket.

Price:  Fruit basket prices will vary.  Your florist can help you choose the size that is right for you.  Our fruit baskets start at around $55 and increase in price as more food items are added.

Sender:  Anyone.  These are popular for businesses to send but we have had friends and family members request them as well.

Post Service:  These are wonderful to have around the house after the service.  When life is turned upside down trying to remember to eat can be difficult.  This will help the family in the days following the service.

Personalization: Typically we do not personalize this type of arrangement.  Depending on the size a nice ribbon would add a personal touch.

We hope that you find this article helpful when selecting a tribute for a loved one.  Over the next few weeks will post more articles in this series.