The COMPLETE Eco Funeral Course
Course Title:
The COMPLETE Large Design Church Installation Course;
from design & set up, to on-site creation. (2 DAY course)
Available dates:
23rd & 24th June 10am-4pm
27th & 28th Sept 10am-4pm
Price:
£575 incl all flowers, lunch on both days and refreshments
Location:
The Clockhouse Flower Studio, Field Gate Flowers,
The Thatched Barn, Lathbury MK16 8JX
What will you Learn?
It’s a sad truth that the traditional style funeral flowers seen in most funeral director’s catalogues, are leaving more behind than just the memories. Unfortunately, the single-use plastics (plastic-derived floral foam), poly-ribbons and plastic card holders are also making a huge impact on our environment. It’s completely understandable when grieving the loss of a loved one, that this may not be forefront of people’s minds. We are determined to spread the word and make it part of normal everyday conversation, that alternative options ARE available, and we’d love to share this knowledge and show you how.
Funeral work is a fundamental mainstay for all floral businesses, and such a joy and privilege to be able to offer as a personal service to a family. Funeral work can also fit really beautifully within your floral service offer; alongside weddings as they are more often week-days rather than weekend (wedding) work. Funeral floral services can also sit really well alongside a flower farm business model. They offer a unique opportunity for you to grow your reputation as a grower/florist, but on a much smaller scale than weddings, so are ideal to first start exploring and reaching out into your community, and to help gain and strengthen relationships.
Why we believe Eco-friendly funeral flowers
are so important
Plastic waste within the industry
It’s a sad truth that the traditional style funeral flowers seen in most funeral director’s catalogues, are leaving more behind than just the memories. Unfortunately, the single-use plastics (plastic-derived floral foam), poly-ribbons and plastic card holders are also making a huge impact on our environment. It’s completely understandable when grieving the loss of a loved one, that this may not be forefront of people’s minds. We are determined to spread the word and make it part of normal everyday conversation, that alternative options ARE available, and we’d love to share this knowledge and show you how.
An opportunity to create bespoke, individual farewell blooms
Funeral work is a fundamental mainstay for all floral businesses, and such a joy and privilege to be able to offer as a personal service to a family. Funeral work can also fit really beautifully within your floral service offer; alongside weddings as they are more often week-days rather than weekend (wedding) work. Funeral floral services can also sit really well alongside a flower farm business model. They offer a unique opportunity for you to grow your reputation as a grower/florist, but on a much smaller scale than weddings, so are ideal to first start exploring and reaching out into your community, and to help gain and strengthen relationships.
The range of techniques, designs and options for funeral floristry is larger than many people think; and the eco-friendly mechanics options are also varied. We use different systems for different styles, and flower choices, depending on the time of year, and depending on the exact type of funeral service that is taking place. We ask; what is happening to the flowers afterwards? And that is crucial in our decision-making.
This comprehensive, 2-day course is fundamental to our business and we believe, the knowledge we share is vital for successful eco-funeral work, and can make a huge impact on your business.
How your 2 Day Funeral Masterclass will look
Day one
Introductions, Flower conditioning and Mechanics
We’ll get to know each other as a group here at the Clockhouse Flower Studio, and get to know our ingredients! An understanding of the flowers and foliage picked and prepped right here at the farm. Then we’ll discuss the various foam-free mechanics options available – there are So many! We will show you how easy they are to create from scratch, so that you can ditch the foam and create beautiful farewell floral arrangements without the impact to the environment.
Biodegradable Funeral wreath
We’ll start with an easy wreath-shape showing you how to prep and work the materials so that you can be confident they will last (a big concern for many). Each participant will make their own wreath to take home.
Lunch
We’ll break for an hour to have a light buffet lunch together from the farmhouse kitchen. A chance to chat, absorb and exchange ideas and ask us plenty of questions! We are open and friendly, and so happy to share our experience with you about everything we have learnt from our years of creating funeral flowers.
Willow shaped Biodegradable Loveheart design
After lunch, we will move on to creating our own heart-shaped design from woven willow – from scratch, and how this can be adapted to create other shaped designs. We’ll finish with a chat about the business of creating funeral work – tips for success and building your portfolio, spreading the word about your eco-floristry techniques.
Day two
Large Biodegradable Coffin Topper
A new day, and on to creating our largest design – a 3-4 ft coffin topper. There are many options and we will show you our preferred method for biodegradable toppers (or sometimes known as sprays) that are suitable for woodland burials, or to be left behind without plastic waste, at crematoriums or church graveyards.
Capturing Your Work
We will work together in pairs to produce this design as it is a large piece and we want to show you the possibilities of large-scale impact work. You will get a chance to photograph the piece in a ‘shoot area’ we will set up, for maximum
impact for your portfolio.
Lunch
We’ll break as before, for an hour for a delicious farmhouse buffet spread in the kitchen, and for plenty more chat
and question time with Roz & Ali.
Hand Tied Sheaf Arrangement
After lunch, we will move on to create individual work again – and finish up with hand-tied sheaf arrangements. These are the most requested form of funeral flowers by burial ground sites, as they leave the minimum impact for wildlife, and return to nature within the quickest timeframe (which is ultimately, what we want to achieve)
Final Q&A and chat - What have we learnt?
Final wrap up chat over tea and cake – to finish our 2 days together and consolidate our learning and support and consolidate as a group. This is absolutely what we are most proud of – creating a supportive, collaborative community!