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

2. Sympathy Flowers Important segment of retail business
pieces sent to the funeral home
permanent flowers and potted plants for cemetery

3. Sympathy flowers “Bread and butter” income for shops
Not a seasonal sale
Needed throughout the year

4. Sympathy flowers Provide steady income for the florist
Competition among shops is keen

5. Sympathy flowers Area customs and traditions are important
Must cooperate with customer and funeral home

6. Sympathy flowers Sent as a tribute to the deceased
An expression of love and sympathy for the surviving family

7. Sympathy flowers Orders are taken, designed and delivered quickly
Can require extra hours on evenings and weekends

8. Sympathy flowers
Family members will usually speak with the florist to order the main arrangements
Casket sprays

9. Sympathy flowers
Family may need to rely on the florist for assistance in choosing flowers and style

10. Basic designs Size and style vary based upon customer request
Most common include:
Casket sprays
Standing sprays

11. Basic designs
Wreaths
Baskets
Arrangements
Green and blooming plants

12. Each piece
Is tagged with a card giving the name of the deceased and the sender

13. Each piece
Double cards are popular - half of the card is given to the family, the other half stays on the arrangement

14. Card Includes a description of the piece
This helps family to remember the piece when sending acknowledgements

15. Card
Address of sender may also be included

16. Casket sprays Also called covers Sits on the lid of the casket
Most elaborate piece
Generally purchased by the closest family members

17. Casket sprays
Three sizes
Full couch
Three quarters
Half couch

18. 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.

19. 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

20. Sprays
Designed to be displayed on a special frame that holds up to one dozen sprays along the sides or end of the casket

21. 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

22. Sprays
A bow is added and filler flowers are placed around the bow and between the primary flowers

23. Sprays Double sprays are called standing sprays
They are displayed on wire easels.
Dixon picks attach the Styrofoam to the easel

24. Sprays
Two wooden picks attached on opposite ends of a flexible metal strip
Double sprays are often placed alongside the casket

25. Sprays Usually an oval, diamond, or triangular shape
Bow is placed in the center with flowers extending in both directions

26. 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

27. Sprays Hand tied are not practical for this reason
Many use floral foam soaked in preservative and water
Flowers stay fresh longer

28. Sprays A block of styrofoam may also be used
This adds strength to the arrangement
Makes delivery easier

29. Sprays
Flowers are placed in water picks and inserted into the Styrofoam

30. Wreaths Constructed in a similar manner to sprays
Wreath forms are made of Styrofoam, straw, or plastic casing filled with floral foam

31. Wreaths May also use natural grapevine wreaths
Range in size from inches in diameter

32. Wreaths May add accessories to the center
Bibles are popular - taken home by the family as a memento

33. Baskets Plastic, metal, paper mache Grapevine may also be used
Often a plastic liner is used inside the basket to hold water

34. Baskets
Most common flowers
Gladioli
Carnations
Mums
Poppons

35. Baskets
Roses and lilies may be added to increase the value of the basket
Arrangement is usually triangular or fan shaped

36. Baskets Bows are often added
Script is often added to the ribbon streamer
Mother, Father, Friend, Grandfather etc.

37. Other designs
Many times florists are asked to incorporate an insignia or logo of a group or club which the deceased belonged to

38. Other designs Hearts and crosses are popular Living plants
Blooming plants
Potted plants are decorated with bows