Floral Tributes

[sherrardk]

Just watching something where a scrap metal dealer (so not a pop star or obviously rich person) had over £10k of floral tributes at his funeral. I am very much an 'each to his own' kind of person, but such a lot of money to spend on flowers. I'd rather it be spent on something else.

[NOX]

Scrap metal dealers are usually very obviously rich :)

[Mamyalynne]

I have seen this happen with certain sections of the community and whilst it does not sit well with me, each to their own.

[tamborine]

Spread the wealth to the florists.

What program are you watching sherrard

[EcclesCake]

Unfortunately for florists, whose bread and butter is to be had from funerals, it is an increasing trend for donations to be made to charity in lieu of flowers.

This is a very clear exception and personally I think it is an excessive amount to be spent on floral tributes. However it is not for me to judge how others wish to spend their money.

[Mick-Talbot]

The people who will have bought flowers for the scrap metal merchant, would rather spend it on flowers than other crap like ....insurance, road tax etc.

[NOX]

For some cultures among them the gypsy community it's an expression of grief, they have a lot of customs and this is one of them, and it's part of their grieving process and really no different than people who light candles, buy masses, make poppets, tear their clothes, wail etc etc- it's a purely cultural things. You do see it in underworld culture too.

[ummmm]

My dad wanted the money spent on his funeral...and that's what we did (he knew he was dying) A Friday funeral, maybe the Irish will understand.

His funeral cost 1,000's and more...

[sherrardk]

Grave trade on The History Channel (not one of my normal channels of choice but I do like business programmes (well, ones that are more reality tv style).

[sherrardk]

It was v odd at my mam's, there were people stood outside who couldn't get in. Each to his own. I think (if I ever get around to writing a will) that I will state that I would prefer not to have formal floral tributes.

[askyourgran]

I've noticed that all the flowers from the cremations are left on the side of the grass verges for a while. Such a shame to see those lovely expensive tributes going to waste after the funeral party have left. Burials are much better in a way, to be able to leave the flowers at the graveside. We asked for money in lieu of flowers for a Heart foundation charity instead of flowers when both my parents died.

[missprim]

My Mum was living in a care home for a few years before she died and although she didn't have a huge amount of flowers there were some very nice bouquets. I had to make sure everyone knew she didn't want wreaths!
After the funeral I arrange for the flowers to go to the home where she had been living so they could be put into vases and given to the other residents.
I got a lovely letter from them to say how much the flowers were appreciated.

[petal54]

when my dad died ,only had family flowers,donations to charity,the flowers then went to local hospice,

[atalanta]

One saturday long ago I was rounded up by the vicar's wife to join the choir for a gypsy funeral near here. I'm not a christian and I can't sing, but the bereaved family wanted the whole works - full choir of 24, all robed, proper organist - the lot. They were content to pay any price. There were five lorry-loads of wreaths. They were scrap-metal dealers, too. The money spent on that ceremony may not have been entirely kosher, but at least it was doing the local economy a great deal of good.

[woofgang]

petal, that's fine if the flowers aren't obviously from a funeral. I used to work in a long stay hospital that got given flowers, some were lovely but the origin of some was obvious and were never used as very distressing for the patients and visitors.

[vodkancoke]

sherr, I understand what you are saying, but Nonna's funeral was a pretty simple affair (she hated flashy things) but it cost thousands. My Mum and Dad's flowers, 2 pedestals for the church, my flowers and my brother's flowers alone came to a total of £1500. There were many, many other floral tributes at the graveside. The sad thing was, we went up to the graveyard the following morning and every single flower head had gone (I thought by vandals!) and had apparantly been eaten by deer and rabbits! It was a shame but at least some animals got fed! I would also (I think) state in my will, no flowers. I would rather the money went to charity after seeing that!