What does a funeral florist do?

What is a Funeral Florist?

Funeral florists specialize in designing and arranging floral tributes for funerals and memorial services. They play an essential role in helping families and friends express their condolences and pay their respects to the deceased through flowers.

In addition to knowledge of flowers and artistic skill, the work of the funeral florist calls for the capacity to show empathy and offer comfort to bereaved families.

What does a Funeral Florist do?

Duties and Responsibilities
Funeral florists are responsible for various tasks related to creating and arranging floral tributes for funerals and memorial services. Their primary responsibilities include:

• Consultation / Flower Selection – Funeral florists meet with bereaved families or funeral directors to discuss the floral needs for the funeral or memorial service. They inquire about the deceased's preferences, favorite flowers, colors, and any specific requests the family may have. Funeral floral arrangements are typically made using fresh flowers and greenery to symbolize the circle of life, remembrance, and love.
• Designing Customized Floral Arrangements – Using their artistic talent and knowledge of flowers, the funeral florist designs a wide range of funeral arrangements, including casket sprays, standing sprays, funeral wreaths, floral crosses, sympathy bouquets, and other custom designs. These arrangements are carefully curated to reflect the personality, hobbies, or passions of the deceased and to convey emotions, sentiments, and respect for the departed.
• Delivery and Setup – It is the responsibility of the funeral florist to coordinate the delivery and timely setup of the floral arrangements at the funeral venue or the cemetery. They ensure that the flowers are arranged appropriately and displayed in a dignified manner.
• Cultural Sensitivity – Funeral florists may be asked to incorporate culturally appropriate elements into their designs.
• Collaboration – The role of the funeral florist frequently involves collaborating with funeral directors, event planners, and other professionals involved in organizing the funeral service to ensure the seamless integration of floral arrangements into the overall funeral experience.
• Funeral Service Participation – In rare cases, funeral florists may attend the funeral service to ensure that the floral tributes are properly displayed and remain visually appealing throughout the event.
• Sourcing and Procurement – The funeral florist is responsible for sourcing the necessary flowers, foliage, and floral supplies for the service. They maintain relationships with suppliers and ensure that the flowers are delivered on time.
• Flower Care and Preservation – Funeral florists handle flowers with care and ensure they are properly hydrated and preserved, so they remain fresh and vibrant for as long as possible.
• Administrative Responsibilities – Funeral florists also need to dedicate some time to office tasks, such as confirming flower deliveries, responding to client inquiries, preparing floral proposals, managing orders, and handling invoices and payments.

Types of Funeral Florists
Some funeral florists choose to specialize in specific areas. Here are some examples:

• Cremation Urn Floral Designer: Some funeral florists specialize in creating floral arrangements that complement cremation urns or memorial displays. These arrangements can be designed to fit a specific urn or be used as part of the memorial service setup.
• Personalized Tribute Florist: Personalized tribute florists work closely with families to create custom floral designs that reflect the personality, hobbies, and interests of the deceased. These arrangements can include items like sports equipment, musical instruments, or other personal items incorporated into the design.
• Memorial Garden Florist: Some funeral florists specialize in designing arrangements for memorial gardens or outdoor spaces dedicated to remembering loved ones. These arrangements often include durable plants and flowers that thrive in garden settings.
• Religious or Cultural Floral Specialist: Funeral florists with expertise in various religious or cultural traditions create arrangements that align with specific customs and beliefs. This includes understanding the significance of certain flowers and colors in different cultural contexts.

What is the workplace of a Funeral Florist like?

Funeral florists can work for various types of organizations and businesses that provide floral services for funerals and memorial services. These are among their most common employers:

• Retail Flower Shops – Many funeral florists work in traditional retail flower shops that offer a wide range of floral services, including funeral and sympathy arrangements. These shops may serve individual customers as well as cater to funeral homes and memorial services.
• Funeral Homes – Some funeral homes employ in-house funeral florists to handle all the floral arrangements required for the services they host. These florists work exclusively for the funeral home and collaborate closely with the funeral directors to ensure seamless integration of flowers into the overall funeral arrangements.
• Funeral Service Providers – Larger funeral service providers or funeral networks may employ funeral florists as part of their team. These providers offer comprehensive funeral packages, including floral services, to families in need of funeral arrangements.
• Cemeteries and Memorial Parks – Some cemeteries and memorial parks operate their own floral services and may employ funeral florists to create and maintain floral displays on-site or for services held within their premises.
• National or International Flower Networks – Some funeral florists may work for large flower networks or chains that have a broader reach and the capability to deliver funeral arrangements across different regions or even internationally.
• Self-Employment – Some funeral florists may work as independent contractors or run their own floral businesses, providing funeral and memorial floral services on a freelance basis or from their flower shop or home-based operation.

The funeral florist’s workplace, regardless of location, typically includes a floral design area with worktables, refrigerated storage for flowers, and shelves for vases and other supplies. Flower shop settings often have a display area for showcasing pre-made floral arrangements.