Todich Floral Design Blog

When there has been a bereavement we all want to show our sympathy to the family and to commemorate the deceased. Flowers are a great way to do this, but what are the right flowers to send?

Here at flowers24hours we recently became aware of how easily a misunderstanding can arise. We delivered a tribute of a Funeral Flower Cushion (ID:922) to a bereaved family in England, ordered by someone in the United Arab Emirates. The family were taken aback when a funeral tribute arrived at their house on the day after the death of their husband and father. The date for the funeral had not yet been set and would be at least a week away.

They were upset and confused and almost did not look at the card. When they did all became clear. The sender was from a Muslim country where funerals take place within 24 hours. They accepted that the flowers were to show sympathy with the family, although not entirely appropriate in a home setting.

So care has to be taken what to send and to where. A simple rule is that wreaths and other funeral flower arrangements such as crosses, prayer books, hearts, initials are to accompany the coffin on its last journey and should mostly be sent to the undertakers or funeral parlour. Bouquets or vase arrangements are usually sent in sympathy to the family. It’s best to choose subdued tones such white, cream or lilac for these.

Just yesterday we received an unusual request for flowers to be delivered to a service at the Emirates Stadium in memory of a lifelong Arsenal fan. The design chosen was Eternity - white lilies, which in most cases I would recommend as a very suitable flower for the occasion but they are perhaps more closely matched to the Gunners’ great rivals, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club - also known to their supporters as the Lilywhites!

There are many traditions in Theatreland and giving flowers to wish good luck is only one of them, but it is our contact with the glittering celebrity scene. We get quite a thrill sometimes from seeing the orders go out into the glamorous world of London’s West End. We have twice in recent months taken flowers to Orlando Bloom appearing in In Celebration at the Duke of York’s Theatre.. We also delivered 30 red roses to Turkish pop singer Sezen Aksu at the Albert Hall. Only this week we had to prepare Diva , a bouquet of white roses, for Denise Van Outen on her first night in Rent also at the Duke of York’s Theatre. Once the driver was on his way there a new order arrived with us for a delivery to Ashley Wallen the dancer and choreographer who is also with the same show.

Our driver Mariusz was pleased to go back to the Duke of York’s again as he had not managed to see Denise on his first trip and hoped to catch a glimpse of her dressed in black leather and fishnet stockings for her role as the bisexual Maureen. Alas he was disappointed again. Please send more flowers to glamorous celebrities and satisfy his longing to meet his idols!

The mainstay of Christmas wreaths and flower decorations is European Holly, or ilex aquifolium in Latin, with its evergreen spiky leaves, spreading branches and shiny red berries. Holly are flowering shrubs and trees from 2 to 25 meters tall, widespread in Europe, Asia and the Americas. There are 400 species of flowering plants in the Ilex family.

The seasonal practice of decorating with holly is not an idea developed in modern times. Going back to the ancient Celtic religion , the druids believed that the true meaning of holly was that the red berries stand for female vital powers, while the white berries of the mistletoe plant symbolise the male force. Both species played an important role at midwinter celebrations as the mystical parents who would bring new life at springtime. The druids worshipped holly, as a holy tree, thus the word “holly”.

Even the old Romans thought that holly brought health and joy. A popular belief was that holly could banish evil powers. This is the root of the custom of placing holly on the chimney breast during Christmas time - to prevent evil ghosts entering the house through the chimney. Door wreaths guarded the entrances.

What better way is there to keep a serene and happy family party than by protecting your house from evil influences with Christmas holly wreaths?

Have a Happy Christmas and a Joyful New Year!