The first step is to contact me and discuss which flowers and plant material are most appropriate to you and your loved one. We can then talk of what you might have available in your own garden, and perhaps you could ask a neighbour if they would like to contribute. In the past a whole village has contributed flowers and foliage to commemorate a much loved resident. It was a great joy for me to put that arrangement together. It was a real community effort.
The next thing is to gather together the material. If you wish I can do this for you or maybe you might like me to help you.
There are then a number of ways to go about making the tribute – some families have even sent a video of their garden as part of the process.
Please remember, if you like the idea but do not have access to your own flowers and foliage I can use my own foliage, flowers from local growers and a few bits from the hedgerow.
A beautiful and individual tribute will be created.
1. The best time to pick is in a cool part of the day.
2. Flower stems need to be a variety of lengths but no shorter than about 16cm. Foliage needs to be a variety of lengths up to 80cm. It’s always good to have some bunchy foliage about 20cm or so long.
3. Pick flowers and foliage about 48 hours before the funeral. If possible place the stems into cold water immediately after picking. Do not clutch in warm hands for several hours! When you get the plant material home re cut the stems and put into fresh cold water and then keep in a cool place away from direct sunlight.
4. 24 hours before funeral. I can either come to your house and help you and your family to create the tribute or I can take the plant material home and create it there.
5. A few hours before the funeral I will deliver the completed arrangement to the undertakers.
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