sympathy flowers. important segment of retail business pieces sent to the funeral home permanent...
TRANSCRIPT
Sympathy Flowers
Sympathy Flowers• Important segment of retail
business
• pieces sent to the funeral home
• permanent flowers and potted plants for cemetery
Sympathy flowers• “bread and butter” income
for shops
• not a seasonal sale
• needed throughout the year
Sympathy flowers• provide steady income for
the florist
• competition among shops is keen
Sympathy flowers• area customs and traditions
are important
• must cooperate with customer and funeral home
Sympathy flowers• sent as a tribute to the
deceased
• an expression of love and sympathy for the surviving family
Sympathy flowers• orders are taken, designed
and delivered quickly
• can require extra hours on evenings and weekends
Sympathy flowers• family members will usually
speak with the florist to order the main arrangements
• casket sprays
Sympathy flowers• family may need to rely on
the florist for assistance in choosing flowers and style
Basic designs• size and style vary based
upon customer request
• most common include:
• casket sprays
• standing sprays
Basic designs• wreaths
• baskets
• arrangements
• green and blooming plants
Each piece• is tagged with a card giving
the name of the deceased and the sender
Each piece• double cards are popular -
half of the card is given to the family, the other half stays on the arrangement
Card• includes a description of the
piece
• this helps family to remember the piece when sending acknowledgements
Card• address of sender may also
be included
Casket sprays• also called covers
• sits on the lid of the casket
• most elaborate piece
• generally purchased by the closest family members
Casket sprays• three sizes
• full couch
• three quarters
• half couch
Casket sprays• 3/4 and 1/2 are the most popular
• full couch are the most expensive and difficult to handle if the casket is to be opened.
Sprays• most popular piece ordered
• may be single or double
• single spray has a bow at one end with flowers extending to the other end
Sprays• designed to be displayed on a
special frame that holds up to one dozen sprays along the sides or end of the casket
Sprays• single are less expensive than
double sprays and wreaths
• offers customer a broad price range
• price is determined by the type of flowers used
Sprays• a bow is added and filler
flowers are placed around the bow and between the primary flowers
Sprays• double sprays are called standing
sprays
• they are displayed on wire easels.
• Dixon picks attach the styrofoam to the easel
Sprays• two wooden picks attached
on opposite ends of a flexible metal strip
• double sprays are often placed alongside the casket
Sprays• usually an oval, diamond, or
triangular shape
• bow is placed in the center with flowers extending in both directions
Sprays• may be hand tied with the
natural stems showing
• do not have a source of water and must be delivered the day of the funeral
Sprays• hand tied are not practical for
this reason
• many use floral foam soaked in preservative and water
• flowers stay fresh longer
Sprays• a block of styrofoam may
also be used
• this adds strength to the arrangement
• makes delivery easier
Sprays• flowers are placed in water
picks and inserted into the styrofoam
Wreaths• constructed in a similar
manner to sprays
• wreath forms are made of styrofoam, straw, or plastic casing filled with floral foam
Wreaths• may also use natural
grapevine wreaths
• range in size from 12 - 30 inches in diameter
Wreaths• may add accessories to the
center
• bibles are popular - taken home by the family as a memento
Baskets• plastic, metal, papier mache
• grapevine may also be used
• often a plastic liner is used inside the basket to hold water
Baskets• most common flowers
• gladioli
• carnations
• mums
• poppons
Baskets• roses and lillies may be
added to increase the value of the basket
• arrangement is usually triangular or fan shaped
Baskets• bows are often added
• script is often added to the ribbon streamer
• Mother, Father
• Friend, Grandfather etc.
Other designs• many times florists are asked
to incorporate an insignia or logo of a group or club which the deceased belonged to
Other designs• hearts and crosses are popular
• living plants
• blooming plants
• potted plants are decorated with bows