So we don't know yet how exactly the remains will be presented at the memorial service on Saturday. We're still looking for the container MIL would like to store them in (she wants to keep them at home afterward) so we most likely will not have it by then, in which case it will be in whatever temporary one they give us from the funeral home. So, I don't know if it will be in a small container that we'd want to surround with a wreath or if we'll use the larger decorative box the church has to give it presence. MIL won't have space to bring the flowers home if we get one of those stand thingies and I know she'll want the flowers. Do I just get a big vase? I'm at a total loss. I also don't know where to go for best pricing/short time frame. The only thing I know is she wants white gardenias. I'm so floundering here...
Post by InBetweenDays on Apr 27, 2015 13:18:09 GMT -5
Not sure about the best pricing. I'd maybe just call around to some local florists to get their opinion and pricing. Rather than doing one large arrangement, could you do several smaller ones? Then your MIL could take it home, and maybe you & your H? Or you could look into getting a live gardenia that your MIL could keep at home and/or plant somewhere?
Do you have anyone else you can rely on to help you with some of this?
I'm asking my cousin for advice since her mother passed away last year so maybe she'll have an idea. I guess my major problem is not knowing what we're going to do for a display as I believe I'm ordering the main flowers. I don't know much about them but was reading up and apparently gardenias are really delicate and ephemeral so maybe having a vase for them is best so that they can have water changed regularly and she can enjoy them longer. (FIL bought her gardenias in the early days of their dating <3 and he apparently adored the fragrance.) Then we can do a separate arrangement with a flat wreath or spray or something with less delicate flowers.
Post by sotally tober on Apr 27, 2015 15:35:46 GMT -5
We had my grandma's service this past Friday. Her remains weren't cremated yet, so we didn't have anything like that. I think in your situation, a wreath of flowers would be nice.
We did a basket arrangement of colorful flowers that had a ribbon across that said "We miss you Mom" and another basket arrangement that said "We miss you Grandma" Between that we had a framed photo of my grandma on a small easel on the table. We then had on another small easel, a plaque that said "Grandma's Name's Sewing room" because she loved to sew. And my mom put grandma's fancy dancing shoes on the table.
There were probably 4 other various flower arrangements from my work, my sister's work, the church and other family members.
One of my grandma's friends made a picture collage from their dancing, we stood that up on the piano, which was near the table that we had all of the items above displayed on. If you're interested in a picture to get an idea of how it all looked, let me know I would be happy to share.
I also did a photo slideshow, I'm happy to share the template if you are going to need anything like that.
Again, I'm sorry for you and your family during this difficult time.
sotally tober A picture would be be nice, just to see all the lovely things of your gran! It sounds like everyone put together a lovely memorial **HUGS**