Planning a funeral is never an easy time. While you may not want money to be your chief concern during this time, the truth is that, for many, it is essential to watch the amount of money that is being spent. This is not because the deceased was not important, but simply because money is tight and there are many expenses involved in planning a funeral.
One way that you can save on the cost of a funeral is to use bulk flowers rather than buying arrangements from a traditional florist. You can still have lots of beautiful flowers at the service without having to overspend your budget. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars per arrangement, you can order bulk flowers and create the arrangements yourself.
If you are considering trying to save money by using bulk flowers, there are some things you should consider.
Speed of Delivery
Because funerals often happen with only a few days notice, it is important to find a wholesaler who sells bulk flowers who can get the flowers to you quickly. This will not be a problem if you have a wholesaler near you. If, however, you have to order from a wholesaler via the internet, you will need to verify that the items can be delivered by the next day.
How Much to Order
How much to order really depends on personal preference. Some choose just to order enough to make one large arrangement, such as a cascade for the casket. Others want to be sure the funeral home is filled with beautiful flowers in honor of the person they have lost.
If you are not familiar with how many flowers are required to make an arrangement, it is a good idea to ask for advice in this matter. The wholesale florist will probably be able to offer advice if you do not have any friends who are familiar with floral design.
Time to Create Arrangements
Another thing to consider is the amount of time that will be needed to create the arrangements. Often, during a time of loss, friends will rally around the family of the one who has died. If anyone asks if they can help in some way, ask if they could help you in creating some arrangements.
To create the larger arrangements, some skill will be required. The smaller arrangements are much simpler and can usually be completed even by someone with no floral experience.
One of the best and least expensive ways to learn the basics of flower arranging is to take a class at a local crafts store. Of course, most of those who have just suffered a loss are not up to taking such a class. Again, this is a good time to accept offers of help from friends and family, especially if those offering have experience arranging bulk flowers.
Losing a loved one is always difficult. Choosing bulk flowers may mean that you can have an even more lovely and colorful display in honor of the person that you have lost.
