I find myself in the unenviable position of needing not one, but two...

[dolo amber]

flower arrangements for funerals. :(

I've had 2 family-ish members pass away in 2 days. (This isn't a condolence thread, because honestly I didn't know one at all and knew the other only slightly.) What I was wondering is if anyone knew of where to order any non-outrageously expensive and/or horribly garish arrangements. Being as I need 2, money unfortunately is an object.

So, you guys know of any off-the-beaten-path kinda places? My searches online have thus far yeilded nil. :(

[trof]

1. In town, or out?

Mom used to make a casserole or something to take to the house and said "These are my flowers."

[dolo amber]

2. Unfortunately, no

One is in state, but I'm not going to be attending.

[WCGreen]

3. Better yet... See if they are taking donations for a cause...

Drop the 10 or 15 bucks toward what the departed cared about...

[dolo amber]

7. I've checked, but so far

no requests for specific donations have been made. Good idea, though.

[lady raven]

12. That is what we have always preferred

When we have had deaths in the family, we have often been overrun with flowers and plants. While a very nice gesture, so many end up given away or thrown away. It can be overwhelming.

When my grandmother died, we asked that everyone please send donations to our church's building fund (It was in the midst of a MAJOR reconstruction of part of the building) because she had a lot of interest in that. I also made a donation to a Democrats group in her name and my grandfathers, because it was their views who helped me become the liberal that I am now :-)

[Lars39]

4. Do any of the grocery stores have florist depts that deliver?

I'm thinking Kroger, maybe.

[dolo amber]

9. That's certainly worth looking into

:)

[AlCzervik]

5. When my friends mother died last year i sent a "dish garden" to her

instead of the funereal home, it was was really pretty and it continues to thrive, she really appreciated it, she said it reminds her of her mom. I think it was about $35.

[dolo amber]

10. Do you have a link or anything?

I like that idea. :)

[AlCzervik]

15. here is a link from flowers.com but---

any of your local florists should have some but at least ehre you can get an idea of what they look like.

http://ww1.1800flowers.com/search/index.asp?Ntt=dish+garden&image2.x=0&image2.y=0&N=51001&Ntk=all?Ntt=dish+garden&image2.x=0&image2.y=0&N=51001&Ntk=all&sid=437BC800552C617F

[dolo amber]

17. Those are lovely

Thanks for that. :hi:

[merh]

6. There are sites on the internet you can have a tree planted in their

memory.

Here in Mississippi, the medians of our highways are lined with magnolia trees planted in the memory of a loved on.

"If I knew I was going to die tomorrow,I would plant a tree today."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

[dolo amber]

8. Now THAT'S actually an awesome idea for one

of them...I know she and the family would appreciate that LOADS more than some raggedy ol' flowers. Thanks! :hi:

[merh]

18. you are welcome.

It's not that expensive and it does help the environment. You can't go wrong with a tree and some sites let you chose where you want the tree planted, in case the family wants to be able to drive past it and remember.

:hi:

[Texasgal]

11. Don't waste your money on flowers

Send a donation to one of your favorite charities in their name.

[SOteric]

13. I second this. Especially

if either of the two recently departed suffered from any affliction for which there is a charity.

[dolo amber]

16. I'm pretty sure it was just plain ol' age

I should give to the AARP? :shrug:

;)

It is worth looking into...neither were particualrly 'active' in any causes that I'm aware of, but I know at least one of them was fairly churchy...can't hurt to ask, I s'pose.

[Texasgal]

19. Hospice..

Meals on wheels... these are very good organizations.

[friesianrider]

23. I'll co-sign this!

I told my family do it the cheapest way possible - cheap service (or none at all!), no flowers, cheap casket, etc. I asked my family to just donate it all to the ASPCA or the Humane Society of the US.

You don't have to go that extreme of course, but I'd just donate $20 or $30 or however much to a favorite charity and do it in their memory :) Often, they'll make a little print up of a card or something to send to the immediate family, too.

[brook]

14. Are the funerals in your town?

If you're also close to a Trader Joes' go in and get 2 white orchid plants for 12 or 14 bucks apiece. If you want, you can wrap the pots in some silver, black, or white foil and tie a pretty ribbon on them and attach your card. Tape it to a chop stick if you haven't got anything else. Drop it off at the appropriate home or take it to the cemetary. The families will remember you as the thoughtful person you are. :)

Edit:

Oh, well - I see they are not close by. Donation to their 'cause'is a good idea. If they were getting Meals On Wheels (or a similar program) or were Hospice clients - or if they loved animals -etc. Send a handwritten note of symppathy. Means more than flowers and will last longer.

[flamingyouth]

20. First, sorry for your losses.

And second, I've had very good luck with proflowers.com

:hug:

[dolo amber]

21. Those are gorgeous!

:o

Thanks, L. :) :hug:

[July]

22. A local florist might give you what you want.

I've also had pretty good luck w/Teleflora, which works through locals.

One argument for flowers is that the family usually seems to appreciate them as a sign of love or respect for their loved one, and, in addition, sometimes like to take the prettier ones home or use them in a church service. I have seen a couple of lovely arrangements that were not over the top: one a basket of white daisies, the other a vase full of red roses. Both of those went home with the nearest relative.

A plant that can be nurtured andthat will be a reminder of the loved one is also good for some people.

But, as I started to say in my heading, talk to a local shop. They'll try to give you something you like if you have an idea or two.