Farewell flowers & other stories
Read the stories behind the flowers: learn about flowers that change with the seasons and how we use them to create something special for you. Find out more about what inspires Farewell florists across the UK. Read individual posts or click on the category tags above the titles to see posts grouped together by theme.
You can also read news about what The Directory is doing to widen choice in funeral flowers and how we’re working to spread the message about going plastic-free.
Farewell flowers for a gardener
Tracey of Mrs Mosley’s Posies explains how her experience of making farewell flowers for a friend, using materials from a well-loved garden, brought back lots of lovely memories of a shared love of growing plants and flowers.
Making memory wreaths from dried funeral flowers
Suzanne Randell Floral Design, Bedfordshire explains how you can dry flowers from a funeral casket spray and re-use them to create dried flower memory wreaths to enjoy for years to come.
Directory founder Gill Hodgson awarded MBE
Here at The Farewell Flowers Directory, we’re delighted to announce that our founder, Gill Hodgson, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours list 2025 for her work in transforming UK flower growing and floristry. Read more about her story.
Farewell flowers with an afterlife - baskets and containers
Gill Hodgson of Fieldhouse Flowers explains why baskets can be a pretty and practical way to create a lovely casket display without using floral foam. Easy to make and easy to share after the funeral, they’re a lovely way to personalise your funeral flowers.
Doing death differently
Nicola Hill of Gentle Blooms shares a very personal story about the process of shaping a meaningful and eco-friendly funeral for her mum and also explores the importance of sharing your funeral wishes with those closest to you.
What’s a wreath?
Gill Hodgson, Co-founder of The Farewell Flowers Directory explains the tradition and symbolism of using wreaths for funerals and the eco-friendly, personalised choices available in this type of funeral flower arrangement.
Dried flowers for everlasting funeral mementoes
Lisa of Gate House Florals, Bridgnorth, explains why dried flowers can be the perfect choice for a long-lasting farewell keepsake.
Weaving a flower wreath as part of a funeral or memorial ritual
If you’re looking for creative, collaborative ideas to include in a funeral or memorial ritual, Deborah of Periwinkle Barn and Katy of DEAD GOOD Legacies share ideas from their recent photoshoot.
Connecting flowers and memories
Staffordshire florist Jacki Pepper of Flowers from No. 8 explains why she feels that the most meaningful flowers will take you back to a special time and place.
Showcasing plastic-free funeral flowers
We’re aiming to bring funeral flowers out of the shadows so that we can share and find inspiration for how to do them differently. Read more about The Farewell Flowers Directory photoshoot and see the wide variety of arrangements it brought together.
How do I order and pay for funeral flowers?
Sammie Hall of Sammie’s Flowers @ Kiddal Quarry explains more about the ordering process for funeral flowers and how she helps clients with the practicalities of funeral orders.
Choosing your own funeral flowers - a personal view
Emily Westall of The Shropshire Flower Company explains why she’s given her family strict instructions about what she wants for her own funeral flowers. It makes it easier for your family if you’ve already discussed what you’d like (or what you really wouldn’t like!).
What happens to flowers after a funeral?
Gill Hodgson, Co-founder of the Farewell Flowers Directory and owner of Fieldhouse Flowers, explains what usually happens to funeral flower arrangements after a funeral and shares ideas for giving flowers an afterlife.
Memorable and meaningful funeral flowers
Rozanne Delamore, The Ledbury Flower Farmer, explains why the sights and scents of spring wildflowers bring back memories of her much-loved Nan, of a beautiful funeral, and of her introduction to making funeral flowers long before she became a florist.
Where do I start with choosing funeral flowers?
Farewell Flowers florist, Jackie Davis, explains how, as a florist, it’s important to listen to find inspiration to create unique funeral flowers that fit the person.
Special funeral flower ingredients - sailing boats and love
Karen MacKechnie of The Floral Goat tells the story behind special funeral flowers she created for a carver of sailing boats who also loved woodlands.
Making the funeral flowers for my own mum
Jo Thompson of Wye Valley Flowers tells a personal story about making her mum’s flowers, why she wanted to do them, and what inspired her choices.
Reflecting a life with funeral flowers that fit
Linda Crew of Woodchurch Cottage Flowers, Kent, explains how she started with funeral flowers and why making them for others is now a key part of her flower growing and floristry business.
Funeral flowers fit for a Queen
Gill Hodgson reflects on the late Queen’s funeral flowers and wonders if this should mark the start of a wider change.
Why start a directory for funeral flowers?
Learn more about the people behind The Farewell Flowers Directory, why they set it up and what they hope to achieve.
Share your story
Are you a customer whose sustainably made funeral flowers were truly special and you’d like tell us why?
Are you a florist who is listed on The Farewell Flowers Directory?
We’d love to share your stories about special flowers and what inspired them. Sharing stories helps others who are seeking inspiration for funeral flowers and also helps us to raise awareness about how we can make more sustainable choices. Help us to share this message and to show the world how beautiful and planet-friendly farewell flowers can be. Help us change the world of funeral flowers, one story at a time.
