I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting a little older (watch it!) or I’m just nosy to see who’s dropped this week, but I’m finding myself having a look at the obits in the papers now more than ever. I read about how wonderful the lives of those gone were, what they’ve left behind, and the families and friends that carry on. Now, although there is a bit of a macabre feeling to this interest into a deceased person’s life, I find it all so interesting. As florists, we need to know a little something about a person when we are creating a piece for them, especially if it’s the last floral sendoff for them. Reading the tributes is a great and easy way for us to learn a bit and to be better prepared when orders come in.
I was recently a judge at a floral competition in the U.S. where the competitors had to create a design by taking an obituary and interpreting it with flowers and other materials. I was impressed at the way these designers had to think and use their skills to create custom pieces to suit the obituaries. Many were so different; some had plastic fish, a stuffed dog, nails and screws, a hammer, a rolling pin and bowl, and one even incorporated a big basket of Italian-themed foods into the arrangement. The piece I remember from this competition the most was the only one that didn’t have one darned thing in it that made it different from any other arrangement. It was a lovely piece, well-made, and very pretty but there was just nothing that made it unique. Really, it could have been used for a funeral, a newborn, or a birthday…it was so generic.
Now, more than ever, we have to do what we can to attract – and keep attracting – business to our shops. Let’s face it, folks, funerals are a great way to showcase what we can do. The last time I went to a funeral the place was covered in carnations, all except for the one little design I did with a couple of callas and a big leaf (I knew the lady liked callas). I heard tons of people comment on this one little design, and I got a lot of positive responses from it. I’ve done pieces in the past using everything from an old pair of boots, a hornet’s nest (gross!), a baseball and bat and even a silk chiffon hat. (Yes, I did try it on!) You never know when someone is paying attention to your creativity (or lack thereof) so be aware that what you do today can help you out in the future. For example, I booked a rather large wedding last autumn because of a funeral arrangement I did for a family more than 10 years ago. Apparently I captured the spirit of this fellow and they knew I was paying attention to their needs. Nice one!
Funerals, for a lot of people, are like one big flower show (everyone’s having a good look at all the arrangements) so here’s where we can really showcase our work for a mass at a mass. (Bad joke, I know!) Plants, glassware, and other non-traditional materials are becoming the norm in design now, so the more we can offer these alternatives to our clients, the better off we’ll be. With new innovations happening all the time, we have access to all sorts of new wires, forms, foams and accessories that can make our lives a lot easier, more creative and more profitable. Even with the most traditional florists, there is always a place to add a bit of flair with a cool wire application or a frame for example. Wrapping the pot of a plant with sisal or caging or veiling an arrangement with bullion or angel hair can take your work (and reputation!) to another level very quickly and very cost-effectively. Check out your local wholesalers as they are great resources for new products and information.
Here’s the thing to remember about a funeral – you need to talk to your clients! My goodness, we’re so fast to get the order that we don’t often stop to find out who the flowers are for instead of just what they are for! Find out what their lost loved one was into, if they were a gardener, etc., or even a gender! I had an incoming order for a funeral and the sending florist couldn’t tell me if it was for a man or a woman! For goodness sake, read the obituary if you get an order (many of them are online and are easy to look up) and maybe you can get a heads up on what to offer the family. There’s nothing better than a fitting final tribute and it’s up to us to make sure this happens. I mean, really, a funeral is a celebration of life, and flowers always celebrate life, so we’re halfway there before we start! And, (I KNEW one day I could use all these sayings…) life goes on, so look to the future when creating the last arrangement for Uncle Henry or whomever…it may be the start of a good thing!
Neville owns and operates My Mother’s Bloomers in Halifax and lives close to Peggy’s Cove with his partner, David, three cats and an overgrown garden. For more info on Neville or to book him for a show or talk, check out www.mymothersbloomers.com .
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