Sending Smiles ~

Imagine walking in a funeral home or church. You are there to pay your last respects to a friend, colleague or even family member. As you enter, folks are sitting there, quietly talking but not mingling around. Well, it is a funeral so why would anyone mingle, right? As you enter and decide where to stand, sit or who to talk to you notice that the room is completely devoid of flowers. There's no plants either. Nothing. There's the memorial table or casket with the family sitting in the front but that is it. When you explore this vision, how do you feel about it? How do you feel about the environment? If it makes you feel empty or sad, imagine how the immediate family feel. No one sent flowers? Yes, they may have made donations if they could not attend but the room looks rather dark, sad and quite honestly, dull. That's not to say that churches and funeral homes are not nicely appointed but nothing is as uplifting in a space as fresh flowers. Have you noticed how when th...

It's summer and the weather outside is hot (with a storm brewing as I type this). In addition to lots of wedding and party flowers being designed, we've had multiple family funerals this week, including this piece for delivery tomorrow. Designing funeral pieces can be both rewarding and sad but we sincerely hope that the flowers we create bring comfort to the families who receive them. This wreath is being delivered to Fire Company for a memorial service. The sender requested a blue, yellow and white theme and Designer Alanna used an assortment of cremone mums, hydrangea, daisies, sunflowers and baby's breath. Measuring 28" wide on an elegant white wooden stand, this piece should look lovely among the other flowers at the memorial.

One of the most asked questions is "Should I send flowers to the service or to the home" and although either one can be appreciated, they are very different. With the time between the death and funeral services getting shorter and shorter (sometimes less than 3 days) it's becoming harder for folks to make arrangements to attend a service. Of course, most want to express their sympathy in some way, so sending flowers is a thoughtful way to do that. The flowers sent to the service are often highly personalized, especially those coming from direct family members. Favorite flowers and colors are often requested and personal items or even hobbies can be included. Flowers and plants sent directly for the funeral home or church help provide a backdrop and atmosphere for the service. They represent the person who has passed while gifts sent directly the home are meant to express feelings of support towards the survivors. The next question we often get is "What...

It's always hard helping a friend with family funeral flowers. My buddy Danny from High School lost his brother this week and it really hits home how the years are moving along and dragging us with them. When he wanted us to send something from him and and his family, I was honored that he thought of me and my flower shop to create the flowers for him. Once again, Designer Norman created a great display, the perfect tribute to a fantastic brother who happened to be a Yankee fan. Norman created this standing spray using blue dyed dendrobium orchids and lush open cut red tea roses. A Yankee logo in the center completes the design. We sincerely hope this helps the family to celebrate the life, love and passion of the man this tribute inspired.  To see this and more of our sympathy designs, visit our website at www.sendingsmiles.com or our facebook page at www.facebook.com/localflorist

"Hi, I need a floral sympathy piece shaped like an Ice Cream Cone to send to a woman who used to own an Ice Cream Store, can you do that"? Yes we can! How cute is this arrangement that Designer Norman made for a recent viewing. Funerals are no laughing matter but how sweet (not pun intended) was it for someone to remember this woman by having this created. Not only is it thoughtful to come up with the idea of sending these particular flowers but the card read "She made the best ice cream in town".  I'd imagine her family will remember this tribute for many years to come.  Our designers always take pride in what they do but you can imagine that pieces like this are the ones that really make us proud. Great job Designer Norman!! To see this and other samples of our sympathy designs, visit our website at www.sendingsmiles.com or our facebook back at www.facebook.com/localflorist

If you've read my blog before you know how I feel about funeral flowers. Yes, those obituaries sometimes say "In Lieu of Flowers" and you all know, that it does not mean not to send flowers. It merely means if you want to make a donation, yadda, yadda. You know that floral tributes not only express your sympathy for the grieving but don't you think the funeral home looks very sad if there were no flowers there? Sending flowers for funerals is a tradition that goes back ages and the reason is that it helps folks know you care, flowers make them feel loved, make it known the person who has passed was loved. It helps make the funeral more bearable. This blog is not about that. It's about NOT sending flowers that arrive to the funeral home in a box! We are not against ProFlowers, who just happens to be pictured here. They are not the only ones that sell flowers delivered in the mail. FTD and 1800flowers sell those, among others.  This blog aims...

. I love taking photos of the arrangements in our cooler and I especially love these pretty heart wreaths we create for funerals. How could anyone not have their spirits lifted when they see these sunny flowers. Sent to a father by his children both the form and the color speak volumes of how they felt about him. Designer Holly created this wreath using fresh, white lilies, spray and tea roses, viking and daisy poms, cream colored stock and accents of fresh ruscus foliage. This wreath, also going to the same service was created using garden, tea and spray roses, carnations, waxflowers, hydrangea and peony blooms. To see more of our sympathy designs visit our website at www.sendingsympathy.com