I wanted to share a recent newsletter I sent out to my subscribers which was a little different. Not my usual update about the shop or what’s in bloom but something a bit more personal: how we say goodbye with flowers and why it matters more than we think.
Funerals and grief are hard topics, and often we only talk about them when we have to. But what if we could change that?
For those of you who are flower and gardening fans, you may have seen that this thoughtful, not-for-profit, organisation recently won a Gold Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May with their beautiful exhibit of natural, sustainable funeral flowers (picture below). Their display told a story of nature, respect, and quiet revolution, reminding us that farewell flowers can be deeply personal and environmentally kind—not just traditional, formal arrangements arranged in plastic and floral foam.
Arranging a funeral is one of the hardest things we ever have to do. When I work with you, I bring empathy, kindness, and genuine care to every conversation—because I know how much that matters.
Creating farewell flowers is a personal process. I don’t use templates or standard designs—each piece is made with love, shaped by the story of the person being remembered. I often include favourite flowers, meaningful colours, or even small possessions. I often ask about their favourite music and play it while I work which helps me feel connected to the person being remembered. My creations will include fresh, seasonal flowers or can be made with longer lasting dried flowers – equally as colourful and beautiful.
While many florists are working towards more sustainable practices, it’s important to note that floral foam is still widely used in most funeral tributes across the UK. This is largely due to tradition, ease of transport and the need for long lasting arrangements. However, floral foam is a single-use plastic that doesn’t break down in the environment and has a massive and long lasting environmental impact.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the UK’s leading gardening charity, recognised these concerns and banned the use of floral foam in its shows in 2022, encouraging the use of more natural and sustainable practices.
My funeral tributes are always made foam fee, compostable and if requested, I can collect flowers and foliage from the family garden for truly personal displays.
If you would like to talk about your wishes, whether for yourself or a loved one, I offer evening appointments by request. These are held in the shop after closing—away from the hustle and bustle of the day—so we can talk quietly and without rush.
I know this topic won’t be for everyone, but I feel it’s so important to share. I want more people to know that sustainable floristry is possible, and that we can find ways to reconnect with nature—even in moments of goodbye.
Sometimes it’s nice to put in text just to get an idea of how text will fill in a space on your website.
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