Sending flowers to a funeral service or the home of a bereaved loved one is a common gesture people have practiced for thousands of years. While it's generally appreciated, most people don't know what to do with an excess of arrangements once the service or memorial is over. Use this guide for ways you can repurpose funeral flowers in a special way rather than discard them in the trash. 

What to do with Funeral Flowers After the Service

1. Purposefully Regift Them  

There are plenty of places that could use some brightening from a stunning floral display once the funeral service is over. Consider donating unwanted blooms to a hospital, senior center, skilled care facility, workplace, neighbor or friend. 

Before giving them away, remove any notes, cards, ribbons or decorations that identify the original purpose or might seem out of place or inappropriate for where they are going. 

2. Make Potpourri 

If you'd prefer to create something to keep with the flowers, consider making your own homemade potpourri. After drying them in the sun, you can store the fragrant petals in any vessel of significance. 

This can include a loved ones perfume bottle, special vase or decorative jar. With a little creativity, this beautiful display could serve as a meaningful memorial for years to come.

3. Remember Another Loved One 

While it might seem strange, it's not uncommon to repurpose funeral flowers at the gravesite of another loved one or donate them to an upcoming funeral service that may not have the resources for flowers. 

You can ask your funeral director if they have any clients who might benefit from the displays in the near future. This is a kind and thoughtful gesture that can make someone else's family feel really loved.

When you're going through one of the most difficult chapters of your life, it's imperative you have a professional team supporting you while you make funeral arrangements. Shirley Brothers Mortuaries & Crematory in Indianapolis, IN, does just that. Since 1898, this family-owned funeral home has helped ease the burden and shoulder the responsibilities so many families experience after a death. Along with exceptional funeral services, cremations and burials, they offer online grief and healing counselors, available 24/7. To learn more about them, call (317) 897-9606 or visit the website.