The hike in cost of living has spilled over into the cost of dying with families battling to pay funeral expenses. So Bristol florist, Laura Church has come up with an alternative - she hires out artificial blooms to mourners.
Having been a florist for eight years and specialising in funeral floral arrangements, Laura said: “The cost of fresh flowers has gone up by a lot. When families come in to arrange flowers for a funeral, they are shocked as to the cost and walk away crying. Customers are just not able to afford real flowers anymore.
“I thought why not do artificial flowers, which can be hired out? They will be cheaper and make families feel happier. I want to be able to reach families in need and enable them to have a floral tribute which they can afford. The silk floral arrangements can also be used again which saves on wastage,” she said.
She researched her idea and found silk artificial flowers, adding: “I just cannot tell the difference.” Laura said the average cost of flowers for a funeral is currently around £150 and a silk flower arrangement could be hired from £50.
The added advantage is that she can make any flower the customer may want, such as sunflowers in winter, although red roses remained the most popular request for a funeral. She added that it was important to use high quality silk flowers: “I will be able to do the tribute in any colour making it personal and with meaning for the loved one that has passed at an affordable cost,” she said.
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Laura says she's had a "great response” to the move on her Facebook page. While the cost of funerals has reduced slightly since the pandemic, the average cost of a basic funeral in 2022 was £3,953, down from £4,056 in 2021, according to the Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2023. But it is the additional extras which can add up quickly putting pressure on families who are already grieving.
These have also increased as the pandemic restrictions on funerals have been lifted, with a good send-off including a memorial wake, catering and flowers. According to insurer, Reassured, funeral costs which need to be considered include the cost of a funeral director, third-party fees such as doctor’s fees for medical certificate, a minister for the service and any optional extras.
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