Different uses of funeral flowers after the service

Flowers have been planning an important role in funeral traditions for thousands of years. According to Michael Scarpaci, manager of Scarpaci funeral home in Staten Island, they not only symbolize the life cycle but also bring a sense of comfort. Funeral wreaths and funeral flowers are the best way to celebrate the life of your loved one and to express sympathy. However, many people have this question about what to do with funeral flowers after the service. Here Michael Scarpaci has given some of the ways to reuse funeral flowers. 

Get them framed - The best way to use the flowers sent in memory of your loved one is by drying and framing them. This is a very special token of remembrance. 

What type of paper you should use to dry the flowers?

While carrying out the drying process, you need to dry out the flowers as quickly as possible before they turn brown. You can do it by using newspaper, printing paper, blotting paper, facial tissue or flat cardboard. There are two ways to press flowers including using a book and using a wooden flower press. 

Using a book - In this method, you require an absorbent paper and a heavy book. Since the flowers pigment can stain the pages of the book, it is advisable to use paper on each side of the flowers.

Using a wooden flower press - Nowadays, there are plenty of flower press kits available online, which come with their own sets of instructions. 

Potpourri - It is such a beautiful thing to have the natural fragrance of flowers lingering in your establishment. Since Medieval times, potpourri has been used in homes. In the past, dried lavender was used to refresh bedrooms and laundry. After the service, you can use funeral flowers to make homemade potpourri. The process of making potpourri is very easy, and all you need are flowers, scissors, baking tray, parchment paper, and home fragrance oils. 

Pressed flower cards - Often, people feel out of touch with family and close friends after their loved one’s funeral. You can create beautiful handmade cards using pressed flowers from your loved one’s funeral, and send them to your dear ones. It is a personal as well as a sentimental way to show your love and to thank your loved ones for being firm support all through the funeral services.

Make a centerpiece or wreath - Another best way to repurpose funeral flowers by making little remembrance bouquets for all the funeral ceremony attendees, it is the most beautiful way to show your gratitude. Or you can send these bouquets to hospitals and care homes.

Do you need more ideas to use funeral flowers after the service? Consult Michael Scarpaci. 

Best options by Michael Scarpaci to scatter ashes

According to Michael Scarpaci, manager of Scarpaci funeral home in Staten Island, there are various things you can do with your loved one’s remains after the cremation. Although the options include burying the ashes in a graveyard, entombing them in a columbarium, or storing them in an urn at home, some people choose to scatter their loved one’s ashes.  If you’ve no idea about where to scatter the ashes of a loved one, don’t worry! Below Michael Scarpaci has explained some of the most popular places to scatter ashes.

Private land - One of the best places to scatter your loved one’s ashes is private land, including a field or garden. If you’re considering this option, make sure you take the prior permission from the landowner. Also, consider visiting rights. For instance, if you choose to scatter ashes in your garden, and you move house, many years later you will not have any right to right to visit that place.

Rivers - Another popular place for scattering ashes is streams or rivers or lakes. Well, when it comes to rivers, you don’t need any permission to scatter your loved one’s ashes. However, Michael Scarpaci advises checking with the Environment Agency about the stretch of the river you’re considering to use.

Nowadays, some people also cut flowers or petals in the ashes to mark the occasion as one of remembrance and to see the ashes flow down the river. But, you should avoid casting plastic flowers or wreaths into the river because this will pollute the water body as well as the environment.

Sea - As compared to a burial at sea, scattering ashes at sea is an affordable option. This is because burial at sea requires a license and special coffin. The good thing about scattering ashes at sea and many coastlines and beaches is that it doesn’t require any license. Plus, scattering ashes at sea is accessible to the public. However, you need to consider people who use the beach and choose it as a spot away from fishermen and swimmers. Before you scatter ashes, also get yourself familiar with wind conditions.

Mountains and hilltops - Mountains and hilltops are one of the most beautiful settings to say goodbye to your loved one. But, you need to consider some of the things before scattering ashes on the mountains and hilltops. Cremation ashes are not toxic, but they can have a serious impact on plant life. Therefore, you need to avoid scattering ashes on mountain peaks with fragile plant ecosystems.

Plus, also consider that popular beauty climbs and spots may have several visitors and it may be difficult to a private place to say goodbye. As hilltops and mountains are very windy, so stand upwind while scattering the ashes.

Lastly, there is no particular rule to scatter ashes all in one place. You can scatter ashes of your loved ones in portions. For more information on scattering ashes, approach Michael Scarpaci.