Four things I’ve learned from a year of Solace
January 2022 sees Solace celebrate its first year of providing people with thoughtful, beautiful tributes for their loved ones.
I knew I could create something special, flowers that would reflect people’s lives and personalities, and the first 12 months have been truly wonderful. Reflecting over the last year I have learned so many things, but four things have stood out as really important to me as a funeral florist.
Flowers are an expression of love and affection
Although this is something I knew, I don’t think I appreciated quite how important this can be in a funeral setting.
Families often love highly detailed designs as they are a way of sharing personal messages of love and affection. They put a great deal of thought into the flowers, colours, designs and want to share those details with me, not simply because of the choice of flowers, but because talking about their loved ones with me in this way helps to build a picture of who they were.
I’ve been fortunate to go on several floral courses to learn alternative techniques and designs from a creative side which has been invaluable in creating the perfect tribute. Seeing these tributes realised, whilst emotional, has such a wonderful impact and helps those left behind feel they have done justice to their loved one - it’s very powerful.
Good relationships between suppliers is key
It sounds obvious but it makes a huge difference to my customers’ experience.
I have learned a massive amount about the funeral industry talking to funeral directors. Building my relationships with them has helped me learn about the process, and how I can help to sensitively deal with grieving families.
By communicating with the Funeral Director directly I can arrange for flower deliveries, for cards to be attached to certain tributes and liaise over timings for the day. Aspects such as wicker coffin decoration for example, which takes place on the morning of the funeral, needs careful consideration and timing, and by personally liaising with them the family do not need to be taxed with more tasks.
These relationships and industry knowledge help me alleviate some of the stress for grieving families, and helps share the load at an already difficult time.
Eco friendly attributes are important
Whilst many customers are not sure what eco friendly tributes are, I get more and more requests from families to create flowers that can be used after the event.
I work with families to create designs they wish for the ceremony, but that are also suitable to take home. This means people feel they are making the most out of their tributes by using flowers in a variety of ways, and they are more eco friendly too.
One family for example chose to have a tied sheaf that would go into a vase, and a wreath that could be taken home. We placed a candle in amongst the tributes for the funeral, and then the families took the tributes home where they looked ‘non funeral’ and could be enjoyed in the home. This way there were both beautiful flowers at the ceremony, and a more lasting memory at the same time.
Grief is different for everyone
While we all communicate differently, grief can be particularly divisive in how people approach organising a funeral.
Some people wish to talk about their loved one personally and in depth, whilst others prefer a simpler minimal contact approach; everyone deals with grief in a different way.
Because of this although I do have a ‘process’, it is flexible to account for this. I can guide those grieving through a series of simple questions over the phone or should they find this too difficult, I have gone to their home to meet with their family and talk things through.
Whichever the family chooses it is important to stress there is no right or wrong - I use my knowledge of floristry and previous experience to inspire and support in whichever way is best for you.