Shoddy Floristry

Recently, while out delivering floral tributes, I’ve noticed several arrangements that, quite frankly, no florist (for some I am using the noun 'florist' lightly) should feel comfortable sending out. 

I completely understand the challenges we’re all facing right now. The cost of flowers has skyrocketed  -  even the most basic stems are currently priced at nearly three times the amount they should be at this time of year. However, rising costs should never be used as an excuse to deliver subpar tributes.

What saddens me most is that many customers simply don’t realise when they’ve received poor-quality work. Understandably, they may not inspect funeral flowers as closely as they would an arrangement for a happier occasion. None of us want to be charging the prices we currently must - and the old saying “You get what you pay for”, which for some reason always appears to me as people are making an excuse for poor workmanship, doesn’t always hold true anymore. I’ve looked into some of the 'florists' responsible for these disappointing pieces, and many charge the same as myself and others in the area. The difference lies in the quality: fewer flowers used in their base work, visible gaps, and tired, aging blooms.

I recently came across a name tribute that included gerberas which were visibly wilted and past their best. That should never happen, is totally unacceptable. To charge a grieving customer full price and then send a tribute made with poor-quality or inadequate materials is, in my view, unacceptable and deeply disrespectful. I don't care if the florist has charged cost-price, or even given the flowers away for free, sending out anything for a funeral that is of a lower quality is disgraceful.

I’m not sharing this to attract business. My goal is simply to help families currently making difficult decisions about where to order their tributes. There are many exceptional florists in our area who take pride in their work and never compromise on quality; equally, there are others who present themselves well online but don’t deliver the same quality in reality. Sadly, there are also those who rely on glowing reviews - often from friends rather than genuine customers - and misleading images. Platforms like Google and Facebook don’t verify reviews, so I understand how difficult it can be to choose. 

If you’re looking to order funeral flowers, here’s my best advice:

• Visit the florist’s social media pages and website carefully. Examine the photos closely — if you see gaps, wilted flowers, or uneven basing, take it as a warning sign.

• Do a reverse image search. Sadly, some businesses use other florists’ photographs and pass them off as their own. Confirm that the images represent their actual work.

• Avoid stock or generic images. Genuine florists will proudly showcase their own designs, not ones taken from the internet, or from a guide produced by someone else.

Ultimately, choosing the right florist ensures that your loved one receives the beautiful, dignified tribute they deserve.

The photographs below show examples of what should not be accepted, alongside examples of the standard your tributes should meet.