Memorial Gardens
My mom was an avid gardener, her gardens were always full of blooms (and vegetables too). For her celebration of life service, we decided that we wanted to use flowers from her garden to decorate the church. Her gardens are large, thus we had plenty of blooms. There were four large arrangements and four smaller ones. Here are some photos (some cell photos, some real ones, some mine, some my brother’s). They were lovely and just what we wanted, not the typical funeral arrangements. My mom was adamant about her service not being like a normal funeral, including the flowers.
It was nice because some of the flowers we used in the arrangements were from plants that my mom had gotten from her mom’s gardens. The white peonies and the sweet peas were both true heirloom flowers. My mom didn’t have a dedicated cutting garden, but she certainly had plenty of flowers to cut throughout the spring/summer/fall.
In lieu of flowers for her service, we had friend/family make donations to the charity my parents started. The funds will be used to build a memorial garden in at the camp facilities in Colombia. We figured this was fitting, it allows the funds to be used for something that will last. The garden will also be a place for all the people in Colombia to remember her and the work she did there. My dad and I are now starting the design process for this garden, I may be traveling to Colombia in the next year or so to help with the plan/implementation. It’s exciting to think about a lovely garden that will provide a peaceful place at the camp.
What’s your favorite flower?
Filed under Miscellaneous | Comments (8)
Perfect. Those arrangements are spot-on. I particularly like that dark-red day lily in the center of one of the smaller ones. We had several of those at Blackrock, and they were always some of my favorites.
to kristin @ going country's comment
How beautiful the church must have been, with all of her flowers. When my brother died I gathered wildflowers for his service. It was very healing for me to gather them and arrange them. I hope the same was true for you.
to Joan's comment
Yes, it was.
to Susy's comment
This is beautiful and thoughtful! They are gorgeous!
Did she paint that sunflower?
to Misti's comment
She did, my mom painted as a hobby. We took our favorite of her paintings to the service.
to Susy's comment
The flowers are lovely and creatively arranged. The memorial garden is a splendid idea. I hope you enjoy working on it.
to bonnie knox's comment
I love the arrangements- they add vitality and from what you have shared, your Mom added that too. I am glad you have some pictures to keep :)
to PennyAshevilleNC's comment
Those are better, by far, than anything from a florist. What a fitting tribute. My mom was also an avid gardener, but she passed in the middle of winter, so no flowers from her gardens at the service. But on a similar note, I enjoyed eating vegetable soup from her freezer and canned goods from her garden for months after she passed. A bittersweet blessing.
to Tonya's comment