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Written by Emily Cross.
15 minute read
As one of the traditional symbols of both grief and life, flowers often play a central part in funerals in the UK. At a time when having something to focus on other than the absence of a loved one can help, you may find that knowing how to make funeral flowers provides some form of welcome distraction.
If you are heavily involved in the process of making funeral arrangements, it may seem like you are being overwhelmed with calls and messages. Fellow mourners, close family members, funeral directors, and service providers may all need your attention at one time or another. With this in mind, expressing your creative side through DIY funeral flower arrangements may provide you with some sense of release.
Here at Aura, we believe that we can help in ways that extend beyond simply offering things like our direct cremation services for families who want flexibility, or prepaid funeral plans for those getting their affairs in order while still alive. That’s why in this guide we will introduce you to ideas and suggestions that we hope you will find helpful if the idea of DIY funeral flowers appeals to you.
Key takeaways:
Giving some thought to our many funeral flower ideas and alternatives to funeral flowers may help you understand what one of the most prominent symbols of grief means to you and what role they could play in the service.
For some, creating DIY or handmade funeral flowers can bring comfort and emotional release. It might serve as a gentle distraction from the logistics, or simply offer a way to work through grief by channeling your creative side.
Others will feel a connection with the personalisation options they can explore, not to mention the affordability when compared to professional funeral flowers. You can pay a great deal of attention to sustainability and ethical sourcing if this is something important to the person who died. The result can often be a tribute of great sentimental value that allows you to express how you feel about your loved one and show other mourners what they meant to you.
When DIY flowers might be the right choice
You may find that making funeral flower arrangements at home gives you a sense of emotional release and a feeling of control. While you may wish to follow more traditional funeral flower etiquette, you also have a large degree of creative freedom. This may feel like the right choice if you and the wider family are:
Deciding whether or not to take a DIY approach is a personal decision and one that is for each family to make on their own terms.
There are a few basics and essentials that you will need to have before you can start choosing and cutting the flowers.
Helpful supplies to start your DIY flower arrangements are scissors, floral foam, ribbon, floral tape, and vases. You may also wish to consider wreath bases if you want to build around an existing structure — moss is a popular choice for those who are eco-conscious.
Many local garden centres will be able to provide all of the above, as will dedicated online craft stores such as Easy Florist Supplies.
You may find that you can avoid funeral arrangements disagreements by considering some of the more traditional funeral flowers as part of your DIY tribute. Options include lilies, carnations, roses, and fresh-cut greenery. There’s also the option to blend fresh flowers with dried flowers if you’re looking to add more texture and nuance.
Although no one can tell you what the ‘right’ flowers are in your case, you may find it helpful to reflect on some of the colour meanings of funeral flowers. This may give you a little extra clarity of thought when you come to make your decision.
DIY funeral flowers allow you to express yourself in a truly personal way and they come in a wide range of different varieties.
When building a new bouquet, the first thing to do is start arranging the flowers into a display that you feel is balanced and visually appealing. This is very much a matter of personal taste and you may find that a little experimentation, rather than expecting immediate perfection, is a healthy way to approach this type of task.
Once you are happy with the overall form, the next step is to cut off any thorns and excess leaves and to cut the stems at 45-degree angles to boost water intake. You can then wrap the bouquet and tie it off with a ribbon, potentially wrapping it with natural paper or cloth for a personal touch presentation.
You create a handmade wreath by creating a series of miniature bouquets and then adding them to a base one by one. Having them equally spaced and proportioned so that they create an even display without any gaps or spaces may help bring everything together. You may find that working on a clear, level surface where you can look down on the wreath from above helps as it will allow you to see everything clearly. Working at an angle, while preferred by some professionals, may complicate matters slightly when it comes to achieving the right balance and proportions.
Wreaths can be placed at the service or memorial site in a variety of ways, including on the coffin, on top of the grave, and also on a prominent surface at the front of the service. You may also find that you want to add an extra wreath to the door of the venue so that you can set the tone for the service and add some personal elements.
Flat-back sprays and arrangements will typically be based around a two-dimensional design that is symmetrical and can lie flat atop the coffin. A large wooden board can serve as a suitable base on which to build and will provide suitable support for the flower structures that follow. You can use precisely the same approach if you choose to create custom table arrangements for use at the wake.
It is understandable if you feel some pressure to get the spray exactly right as it will be the point of focus for many of the mourners throughout the service. Taking your time and practicing several different options in the buildup to the funeral may allow you to feel more assured and confident while also potentially opening other creative avenues.
One such way that this may happen is if you decide to start experimenting with photos or pieces of ribbon with names as a finishing touch. There are so many different combinations and choices when it comes to colours, placement, size, and the specific type of imagery that you may find the creative process liberating.
While you may find it helpful to consider some of the elements of UK funeral etiquette, there is always plenty of space for you to add those all-important personal touches.
The inclusion of keepsakes such as charms, handwritten notes, or some of the favourite flowers of the person who has died may help you feel more connected with the tribute. Others may find that taking some repurposed fabric from home that has sentimental value allows them to elevate the emotional connection with the tribute. Taking your time to sit and reflect on how you wish to express yourself may help you find new ways of tying everything together in a way that feels right to you.
Paying your respects may also be a case of recognising who the person who has died was and what they enjoyed in life. Including things such as their favourite colours, images of their favourite places, or perhaps the badge of their favourite sports team may help. And if the person you are remembering was a free spirit connected with nature, you may find that free-flowing wildflowers are a more appropriate choice.
You may find that taking some time to talk through your memories of your loved one with several people who were close to them can help as well.
It’s understandable that you want to get things right given the importance of the occasion, so we’ve compiled some easy-to-follow advice that can help point you in the right direction.
Starting with basic designs and shapes and using them to build your skills and confidence is often the best approach. While you might have your sights set on something more elaborate and nuanced, you may find it helpful to remember that true elegance and meaning come from intention, not complexity.
You are not a professional, so trying not to worry about achieving absolute perfection may prove to be a healthy way to look at things. Sometimes it’s those little imperfections and personal expressions that allow you to feel a greater sense of connection with the tribute you have created.
One of the British funeral traditions you may wish to follow closely is ensuring that any flowers used in your tribute are arranged in good time before the start of the service. For this reason, you may find it less stressful to prepare the flowers the evening before, as opposed to on the morning of the funeral itself. Giving yourself that little bit of extra time and space may allow you to feel immersed in the process rather than simply having to try and get through it as quickly as possible.
Other things to consider are how to cut the stems for watering — a 45-degree angle is often preferred as it allows for more water to be taken up by the flowers, ensuring they remain fresh. Tying flowers in place in the boot of your car using a combination of string and plastic crates may help to reduce movement in transit.
One of the key things to remember about do-it-yourself funeral flowers is that they are your way of expressing how you feel about the person who has died. While it is understandable to find yourself overthinking things at a time when you are also learning how to deal with grief, reminding yourself of this key point may help you maintain perspective.
It is hard to overstate the emotional and creative power of crafting a tribute in your own personal way. Embracing imperfections is part of the process and using your venture into DIY funeral flowers as a way to create unique and lasting memories may even help with the process of grieving and healing. Taking your time, giving yourself space to reflect, and being kind to yourself as you learn a new skill may also prove important.
We’re here to help in any way we can, and that means we’re always looking to share ideas, thoughts, and sparks of inspiration for both emotional and practical matters. By means of example, you may wish to read one of our pages where we compare funeral plans, or our guide on ‘What is an intimate funeral?’ may prove helpful if you are looking to explore this avenue further.
We can also connect you with a kind and caring team that completely understands how to help those dealing with grief and processing loss. Our team is here whenever you need us and will always provide a kind ear that listens to anything and everything you need.
If you have any questions, would like a brochure or simply would like a chat through our services, our award-winning team is here to help.
Unlike other providers, we won’t hassle you with constant calls. We’ll simply ensure you have the information you need and leave you to come to a decision in your own time. When you’re ready for us, our team will be ready to help.
The key point here is that you may find it more enjoyable and achievable if you start off with something small. Remember, not everything you create has to be used in the funeral service itself, so you have plenty of time to get to grips with what may be a new skill.
Some people who have lost someone they love find that immersing themselves in different techniques is a welcome distraction. Reading this guide, perhaps even looking for a series of online video tutorials, may help give you something else to focus on at a time when you are dealing with a complex series of emotions, thoughts, and feelings.
What supplies do I need for DIY funeral arrangements?
Scissors, vases, bases, and cutters may all be needed depending on how complex you want your tribute to be and the overall shape you want it to take. If you feel a little overwhelmed by the prospect of having to buy new tools and craft pieces at this time, you may find that starting with some wildflowers, a vase, and a pair of kitchen scissors works for you. Seeing it as a way to exercise your creative side so that you can begin to process your emotions may also be helpful.
Are DIY funeral flowers more affordable?
Yes, generally speaking, it will be cheaper and more affordable to make your own DIY funeral flowers than it will be to hire the services of a professional. That said, DIY funeral flowers are not solely a matter of saving money — you may feel that they allow you to grieve and process the death in the family in a way that feels right. If you want to get creative and feel that you can express yourself through imagery, approaching flower arranging yourself may also provide a welcome sense of release.
How do I choose flowers for a funeral tribute?
Much like knowing what funeral colours to wear is a combination of considering tradition and taking into account the personal wishes of the family, so is the choice of funeral flowers. Feeling pressure to get it right is perfectly understandable, so you may wish to reflect on the traditional meaning of any flower you are considering. If you find one that ties in with how your loved one lived their life, and that you find visually appealing, you may have found a prime candidate to base your tribute around.
What are some simple DIY funeral flower ideas?
Perhaps one of the simplest approaches is to choose fresh-cut greenery. It can symbolise life and nature, it can be free-flowing and creative, and it is typically easily sourced from the local countryside. No one will expect perfection from greenery and yet it will still provide a striking visual presence that allows you to express how you think and feel about the person who has died.
Can I personalise funeral flowers myself?
Yes, even if you hire the services of a professional florist, there is always the option to make your own personal additions. A choice of ribbon or fabric, the inclusion of a keepsake, or simply the addition of a hand-written note that is left on display may each feel right. Taking some time to think about how you feel about each of these suggestions may help you decide how you wish to proceed.
Are there guides for crafting funeral wreaths?
Yes, you can find several guides online. Many people who try it find that it is a skill they wish to use in other areas of life once the funeral is over. Creating seasonal wreaths throughout the year can serve as a welcome distraction and a chance to express your creative side. You may also feel it provides a fond reminder of your loved one because you will remember how and why you started practicing the skill in the first place.
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