Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Flower arrangements

The most difficult emotion to express in words is maybe sorrow. There have been times when I have wanted to offer comfort someone, but was unable to come up with the right words. One of my childhood friends passed away a couple of months ago. She loved flowers, and I felt the best way to bid adieu was with flowers. Flowers are an epitome of eternal life and rebirth. They help us deal with grief and are soothing to the senses.

Sympathy flower arrangements are different from conventional flower arrangements. Sympathy flowers should express love, care, sympathy, and support. They should be soothing and comforting. Flowers are used to adorn caskets and for decoration purposes at calling hours, funerals, and cemetery burials. Casket flowers, also known as casket sprays or coffin sprays, are an important part of the decoration. Sometimes, each corner of the casket is decorated with flowers and ferns. A small pillow or cushion arrangement can also be placed inside the casket to signify eternal rest.

Cross flower arrangements are a combination of different flowers assembled together on a cross-shaped base, and are symbolic of faith. Wreaths are also designed for funerals and church services, and they are made of flowers, leaves, and ferns. They are arranged in a circular shape to symbolize eternal life.