Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Sympathy Flowers Original by Linda Rist Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office June, 2002

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, paper 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 lilies 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