Farewell Flowers
I believe strongly in the power of flowers to to help families to come to terms with the loss of a loved one and I enjoy working with people to help them create meaningful floral tributes.
A fully compostable living wreath for a February funeral.
During the UK growing season from March to October, I create my funeral tributes using only my own and other locally grown flowers and foliage. In Winter my funeral arrangements may include both dried and fresh flowers, including flowers sourced from commercial growers based in other parts of the UK. I am also happy to include some flowers from your loved one’s own garden if you are able to get them to me.
I am passionate about growing and arranging my flowers as sustainably as possible. My constant question to myself is ‘Am I doing any harm?’ with my work and I strive to make a positive impact on the environment and the lives of my community. My arrangements are designed using a recyclable or reuse-able structure to support the flowers and make sure that they remain fresh on the day. They are all plastic-free and I never use floral foam.
Some of my arrangements, like the living wreath above, are fully compostable at home and many of them can be taken home or planted in the garden afterwards as a lasting memory.
Funeral flowers created in a hamper using my own grown flowers as well as plants and vegetables from this father’s garden.
This one was created by a mother and her two daughters for their father who was a gamekeeper, gardener and keen vegetable grower. We enjoyed working together to choose his favourite flowers, vegetables and other elements that reminded them of him. All the while we talked, shared anecdotes and occasionally tears… but mostly I remember how the tension dropped away, to be replaced by gentle laughter and feelings of pride and satisfaction at having created a beautiful gift for him.
I believe that funeral flowers should be unique and suited to the person. To my mind, their role is to offer a little solace in a time of grief, to celebrate a precious life and to offer a little hope for the future. If you would like to know more about my natural farewell flowers or how I can help you to create your own funeral tributes, please get in touch.
Price guide.
Simple sheaf (bunch of flowers) - £95
Living wreath - £150
Trug of flowers - £275
Double ended coffin topper - from £325 depending on length and types of flowers.
All photos copyright Jill Houston
This 5 foot coffin topper was made to celebrate a man whose work and passion was wine. I used vines and selected flowers in wine colours.
I am a proud member of The Farewell Flowers Directory which strives to change the way we think about funeral flowers. Through their website (https://www.farewellflowers.co.uk), everyone should be able to find a florist near them, who shares our values.
