Hi Friends ,

No one likes to talk about funerals and or memorials ,  but it is an every day occurrence .    We celebrate life ,   new as in a new born baby and and in death as we say it is a celebration of a life well lived.

I have a thing I say when speaking of my business to folks ,   that I marry them and I bury them and everything in between.   Yes ,   that sounds crass.    But it is the absolute truth .   In my days here I rejoice in new life and I grieve with you in the loss of life.  That is what I do ,   and it is what I like to do .   No I don’t love having the opportunity to make a casket spray  for your loved  one ,  however,    I  find great honor in helping your grieving heart memorialize your loved one .   The same holds true if I am not a personal friend.    I am honored to help you in your grief say goodbye to your loved one.

I have been in the business since I was a young woman and lost my dad at the age of 22.   He was only 56 when he died and as I face the 50’s  I find that is not very old at all !  I did not build his casket spray ,   however I chose the flower combination at the Flower Mill in Canfield .   I do believe Gail Haefke was the designer that made it .   Often wishing I had done it ,  but I was not forward and gutsy at that time and could not find it to speak my mind .   But I do picture the spray laid over his wooden casket,  as well as many of the flower arrangements in Lane Funeral Home  in the Austintown Chapel, those bitter cold January days in 1989.

The practice of sending flowers to a funeral dates back centuries when the bereaved would lay flowers around the grave to off set the odor.    It has become practice of recent decades to say ” In lieu  of flowers “.    Not my favorite phrase of course,  but it does spark some conversation .

Who has the right to tell you how to grieve?   Who can tell you what is acceptable form of tribute ,  be it food, flowers, or a   monetary  donation ?    You may show your sadness any way you see fit .    And I hope that is evident in the arrangement you ask me to create for you .    An atmosphere is created with the arrangements in the funeral home or church.    Often the flowers creating a fragrance causing folks to say , “it smells like a funeral home in here.”   Some of the more fragrant flowers would be carnations, lillies, and roses,  and it is okay if you ask if those kinds of flowers not be included because of the fragrance factor.   

standing easel spray

a beautiful garden casket spray incorporating her own gardening gloves, watering can and trowel

a masculine mixed spray of colors and textures, if you look closely you will see his personal paint brushes throughout.

a spectrum of color for the artist’s pallet. Paint brushes included

A memorial stone for a garden , with a lovely sentiment engraved

They are all special to me , this one is very , ……..
Captain America , Dean , I will always have a place for you in my heart.

Flowers are a visual representation of LOVE , SYMPATHY and RESPECT.  Please choose to use flowers to share your sentiment.    Flowers have a way of sharing the burden of grief,   allowing the loved ones a kind of peace  that they are not alone in the sad journey of bereavement.    Flowers also create an atmosphere around the loved one’s body or remains ,   creating an enviornment  of their essence.   Brightly colored , or soft pastels ,all greenery , or a mix of  flowers can  enhance  the surroundings and create a mood. 

a honorable spray for an honorable young man . A Marine . His service to our country was exemplified .

Finally this of the Boy Scout Master , with his own walking stick and hat….

Wings can hang on your wall as a forever keepsake of the love you shared.

The sender of this tribute hunted these deer and turkeys with the gentleman who passed away , What a special keepsake of memories of a fun time .

A special special friend that I adored, She taught me so much about life and joy. This piece too will forever hold a special place in my heart for I loved Kristy She was an amazingly talented, fun , lover of life !

Please feel free to leave a comment as I would appreciate your feedback ,   as I would like to make your experiences part of my practice here.   If there is something that has been a help to you in the sad matter of loosing a loved one ,   please share in the comment section and I will publish them .   They may simply help someone else face the horrible grief with a different perspective because of your help .

I appreciate you friends.   I am honored to be your florist for ALL of your life’s needs.

Peace to you ,

Jenny

A casket spray of mostly organic material and very few flowers including his hat, and walking stick . He was a Boy Scout Master .