How to Care for Funeral Flowers & Sprays

Arriving a day or more before the service, elaborate and expensive funeral arrangements often include a highly visible casket spray and several standing easels. Modern floral designers often use older open flowers in water picks with small water reservoirs or use flowers with a metal pick attached and no reservoir arranged in dry foam. During delivery, floral arrangements can be exposed to high heat or extreme cold. Keeping these factors in mind, you can see why the life of funeral flowers is only about 36 hours without a little help.

Mister bottle
Distilled water
Scissors or florist shears

Instructions

- 1
  Ask the designing florist which flowers have a longer life in a spray. Carnations are the longest lasting flower, with daisies second, then roses.
- 2
  Have a representative meet the florist's delivery person at the funeral home when the major pieces arrive. The florist can give you a call when they are on their way. You'll find changes easier to make before you place the flowers in the chapel or viewing room.
- 3
  Check for old flowers in the arrangements that have a crepe-like appearance, browning edges or wilted foliage. Your attention to detail will discourage rough handling by the delivery person or funeral home employees.
- 4
  Mist the arrangements with distilled water in a misting bottle before the flowers reach the chapel or viewing room.
- 5
  Mist the casket spray and large arrangements with distilled water three to four hours before the visitation, viewing or service. Caskets are waterproof and distilled water will not leave water spots; however, don't allow mist to drift or drip onto carpet, drapery or funeral home furnishings.

How to Arrange a Flower Frog

Instructions on Bow Floral Arrangements

Floral Designs