Spray - A spray designed to cover a major portion of the top of a
casket. A full couch casket spray is deisnged to be placed on a casket that is
fully closed.
A full couch lid spray is designed to be placed on the rack immediately behind
the open lid of a fully open casket. This spray appears as if it is sitting on
the lid.
A half couch casket spray is designed to be placed ont he lower portion of the
lid of a half-open casket.
Casket Lid Inset - A cluster of flowers placed inside the casket, often
a tribute from the grandchildren. It may be placed on a pillow, fan, etc.
Couch - A classic, older term referring to the casket.
Cross - A structure consisting of an upright or standard with a
transverse beam called an arm. Serveral variations include the following: Latin
or Christian cross, Celtic cross, Maltese cross, Cross of Lorraine or
Tubercular Leage Cross, and Red Cross.
Easel - A frame, usually three-legged, made of wood, metal, or branches
that displays and supports sprays and set pieces
Fireside Basket - A design set in handled, low-sided wicket basket.
Grave Covering (Grave Blanket) - Seasonal greens, usually trimmed with
flowers, cones, or bows, placed on a frame and used to cover a grave.
Green Plant - A non-blooming indoor plant.
Heart (Set Piece) - A set piece in the shape of a heart, usually
featuring one flower variety and trimmed with a small flower spray. Other
variants include the following.
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Bleeding Heart - A white heart as a background for a spray of red roses.
Often ribbons extend the effect; construction may vary.
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Broken Heart - AA white heart as a background to a zigzag placement of
red flowers.
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Open Heart - A heart with the inside of the form removed (also in the
shape of a heart), often designed with one type of flower and ribbons. An
alternative can be a grapevine heart wreath designed with a flower cluster and
ribbons.
Needle Pak - A mechanic for set pieces made of pine needles wrapped in
serveral layers of tissue on a cardboard base. Pillows, wreath bases, and
casket saddles are available in this form. The mechanic is frequently used on
the West Coast.
Pall - A fabric piece placed on the casket. In the south, any design
placed on a casket.
Pedestal Arrangement - Flowers and foliage set in a container; it is
designed to be displayed on a pedestal.
Pillow - Flowers and/or foliage, usually of one color and variety,
imbedded directly into a styrofoam or needle-pack pillow form. A cluster of
flowers is usually placed in one corner of the design, which is displayed on an
easel. It may also be called a standing pillow.
Rosary - Blooms secured into a rosary form, most often made with
rosebuds, usually displayed on or in the casket.
Satin Cross, Heart, Pillow - Small set pieces made of satin fabric in the
shape of a cross, heart, or pillow; they are usually set inside the casket lid.
Set Piece - A design that has a specialized shape or form which is
created with floral products and is usually constructed using styrofoam, floral
foam, or a moss form as a base. A set piece is usually placed on an easel.
Examples: heart, cross, clock, gates ajar, Bible, anchor, harp, empty chair,
broken wheel.
Sheaf - An informal tribute made to look as natural as possible. The
materials are secured into a central tying point, which is finished with
ribbon, leaving the stems exposed below the tie. It is made to tie flat on the
casket or grave.
Spray - A one sided flower design, flat on the back side, which can be
displayed in various ways, for example, casket spray, easel spray, or flat
spray.
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Easel Spray - A spray designed to be displayed on an easel. It is also
referred to as a standing spray.
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Flat Spray - A triangular spray of greenery with flowers and a satin bow
that is often designed in styrofoam. The sprays are often grouped by funeral
directors to foam arches, crosses, or other shapes.
Vase Arrangement - A design palced in a container of ceramic, glass,
plastic, metal, or papier-mache. The container's height is twice its width, and
does not have a handle.
Visitation - A memorial time before the funeral (the day before or
immediately before) to express condolences to the bereaved family. Visitation
is often held at a funeral home, and flowers are usually in place at this time.
Wake - A visitation, often an expanded length of time, to include a
celebration of the deceased person's life.
Wreath - A ring or circle of flowers and/or foliage symbolizing eternity.
A variation is a ribbon or foliage-wrapped wreath with a flower cluster.
Flowers convey a beautiful, living testimony of the sender's respect for the
deceased and concern for comforting the living. Flowers speak a silent eulogy
during funerals. As in the early days of mankind, flowers continue to play an
important role in the sympathy and grieving process.