Guess this fits under design New shop

Spookyflowers

Spookyflowers

New Member
Jun 13, 2007
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Missouri Valley
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IA
Have a new shop here in town and they did there first casket spray yesterday. I was taught never to have flowers hanging down in the open casket and there were flowers haning in it. Had 7 ribbons on it but the script on he ribbons was 2 different kinds one the staple on and the other the stick on kind. Maybe its just me but I thought it looked tacky that way. Used # 40 ribbon for the ribbons on it also so all you could see was ribbons.
Just seeing what other people think?
 
That is interesting - especially since the sticker and staple script are drastically different, texture wise. They must not have had the correct labels in matching tones.

In my personal opinion, we try to stay away from #40 on the casket if there are more than 2 ribbons for the reason you stated - then it becomes all about the ribbon and not about the flowers. What did they have on their that took seven ribbons? I have noticed that people are "condensing" pieces all to the casket in an effort to defray high costs.

In their defense, I still remember my very first casket spray when I was new in the biz....you learn as you grow.

I suppose you could look at it as your opportunity to showcase your experience and talent? In your advertising make mention of your years experience and what not?
 
If people want more than three ribbons, I strongly suggest using just one that says "Family". They usually go for that.

I can't imagine using two different types of script. Even on separate pieces. If they want something other than a general message, I do all of them in my own version of calligraphy.

Sarah has a great point about using your expertise to your advantage, you do nice funeral work.
 
I thought it looked tacky but I'm sure the customer never gave it a thought on the different scripts. I'm having more and more people request no ribbons on the casket spray. If I have more than 2 I sometimes suggest using the smaller lettering for Grest Grandma and any other ones they want on there. I counted 7 but was trying not to look like I was really looking it over. If there hadn't been people around I would of taken a picture.
I always say with pride I have over 35 years experience.
 
You mean, other florists snoop at other's work at the funeral home? I thought it was just me :D ha ha.

I'm so bad, I'll casually make comments like "oh these are so pretty" and then move in for a closer look at the work and who sent them. And I am usually almost always sincere in my compliment that they are pretty -- but I'm more nosey than anything!

Just remember - experience speaks volumes! Experience also implies established as well. We see that here in our small town. We have only one other competitor that sells fresh flowers and that flower shop has been in town for over 30 years. It has changed ownership a few times, but it's still established.And just that idea drives business her way - they are just so familiar with her established name.
 
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Yes we had another shop here in town that had been here for over 60 years but the last gal ran it in the ground. So now I'm the long time shop with over 14 years being here.
This shop is outside the city limits which hurts it to some extent but there work is not the best so far. Theyare in with a Craft Mall and really want to sell their craft items and gift ware as that is a dying thing right now.
I had the funeral director call me and wanted me to look at it. I knew right away when I walked in he would not be happy with it as it was very big and over powering. He hates casket sprays that hang down in front as they are hard to handle.
 
There's just no accounting for some people's taste. I am betting that the people that asked for 7 ribbons on the spray loved that look and could not have cared less about the flowers.

I bet my first casket spray was not nearly as pretty as the ones I can design now....but, I know it wasn't ugly. Actually, some designers can design for 40 years and never get any better, so, longivity doesn't always tell the story.
 
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well, I was never taught that flowers shouldn't drape into an open casket.
I was taught to make what the customer wants. If a customer wants a 5 foot long casket spray and then they open the lid....not my problem. I wouldn't down sell a spray to fit half the casket...unless that's what they want.
As far as script is concerned, I charge $10 per ribbon so "Father" is $10 "Husband" is $10 and so forth, it really helps with not having so much script on the casket, but if they want 20 ribbons, so be it.

We used to do TONS of funeral work at April's, Bettina told me she has never had an order for casket spray. Go figure.
 
I remember at a design show the presentere was telling a story about a casket spray he designed that had flowers that hung over into the open lid section above the deceased...

The funeral director CUT THEM OFF with a scissors because he didn't like it! Yikes!

The only thing we've really heard from Funeral Directors about casket sprays are that they hate the really tall ones because they don't fit in the hearse.

Although - have you ever seen flowers being transported by some funeral homes? Granted, I know they aren't florists, but we've seen them shoved and squashed into delivery trays and crammed into cars.
 
Carol Bice said:
There's just no accounting for some people's taste. I am betting that the people that asked for 7 ribbons on the spray loved that look and could not have cared less about the flowers.

I bet my first casket spray was not nearly as pretty as the ones I can design now....but, I know it wasn't ugly. Actually, some designers can design for 40 years and never get any better, so, longivity doesn't always tell the story.
Click to expand...


This is an excellent point - sometimes those established shops can be too set in their ways and don't keep up to date with current trends.
 
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I hope I'm not set in my ways but who knows till everything looks the same which it does some days.
I've seen how the funeral home moves flowers. We have alot of churches here in town who will only let the family flowers come to church. Which if fine as the family then goes back to the funerla home and divides up what they want and take them. Our funeral director even suggests if there are angels or stepping stones they take them after the visiation so the right family memebers get them.
Anyone out there every have the family call and ask you to take the plants back as they don't want them?
 
We've never had a family ask to give them back, but we do often hear from customers when looking to buy something that "families always get too many plants and they don't know what to do with them".

How do you handle that when they call and want to give them back?
 
I said maybe try the nursing home or senior citizen apartment complex here in town. I didn't want it to get around that I took plants back and resold them. Small town you know and stuff like that would get out. I even feel guilty when I buy vases at garage sales sometimes.
But I'm not so sure that I seen one of my plants from another shop a ,few miles away, at a funeral here in town last week. He never puts his in wicker baskets and this one was with cello and a bow the bow was his but the rest of it sure looked like my stuff.
 
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