One very precious piece of decor in our home is this framed collage from Emily’s funeral. Earlier this year my step-mother-in-law and I put this together and then took a step back and cried. I wanted to share with you a little bit about it as this may be something you would like to do for a friend or for your own grieving heart.
The daisies were ones I purposely pulled from Emily’s casket spray so my step-mother-in-law could dry them. She ended up forgetting about them until she was cleaning out a dresser one day and found the books they were kept in to dry. She was afraid to even open them just in case they were ruined and she would feel terrible about it, so she brought them to my house for us to open together. They were beautiful!
I had kept several funeral programs, but really didn’t know what to do with them. Seeing these daisies gave me the idea that I should put together a collage and add the daisies to the outside of the collage.
I used two funeral programs so I could have all four sides and took them to Hobby Lobby to the frame shop there. They helped me arrange them and choose a frame and mat. My step-mother-in-law and I decided we would add the daisies ourselves, so Hobby Lobby left the frame where we could get into it.
Once the frame and programs were finished, we got together and opened up all the daisies so we could chose which ones would look best in the frame.
There were two that were near perfect and then there was the one you see in the top right hand corner that had petals falling off. I wanted that one specifically. I wanted it to represent my tears falling.
We used a cold heat glue gun to glue all the delicate daisies onto the mat and then glued the loose petals down the side of the mat. The finished product took our breath away.
If you have a friend who has lost a loved one and you think you would like to do something like this for him or her, don’t hesitate to ask if you can have a couple of flowers from the casket spray, but be aware that it is very necessary you tell them you are wanting to make something for them from the flowers and also don’t be hurt if they say no. If they would rather you did not take any flowers from the casket spray, take note of what flowers are in the grouping and purchase them to dry yourself.
I truly believe this is a remembrance any grieving family would be honored to receive.
Samantha Hatcher says
What a beautiful memorial. My grandfather’s funeral was yesterday and I was wanting to do something with the things I have. This would be perfect. Thank you for once again sharing your heart.
stephanie says
I’m glad you suggested purchasing the same flowers. The flowers from my mothers funeral didn’t preserve well. My own fault I must admit. I will be replacing them and get the quality I want.
Smockity Frocks says
This is beautiful, Amy. When I saw the dropping petals, before I read your words, I immediately thought of tears falling. Beautiful.
Sherri says
Wow, that is beautiful! I did something similar in honor of our little boy, and I love looking at it and remembering him. The falling petals on the daisy are heart-breaking, yet beautiful at the same time. So much of grieving/remembering seems to be that way.
Katina says
I started crying just reading this post. The finished product is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing something so personal in such an impersonal forum (your whole blog is so helpful to me, I find it so brave of you to share all you do).
My husband is training to be a pastor, and my heart is heavy for the grieving loved ones of the funerals he’ll have to conduct. I appreciate this idea! I may not be able to go this “full scale” every time; but I may be able to adapt it, to find something, some personal touch to help those who are hurting, show them God’s love through my actions. Thank you for the inspiration.
Lisa says
This is so beautiful, thank you for sharing. I just want you to know you have been such an encouragement to me-I had a stillborn last October and this year has been such a struggle for me. It’s been good for me to see how you handled things. There have been so many days I don’t think I’ll make it through.
Coby says
This is just beautiful – so sweet and precious!
Jenny Kurtz says
What a beautiful way to honor your daughter. I too looked at those falling petals & immediately thought they might represent your tears.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Sally says
Oh my. That collage is breathtaking. Just beautiful, Amy.
Pam says
Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute. It is very kind of you to think of helping others by writing & showing the picture.
hsmominmo says
This took my breath away, Amy. What a beautiful and lasting tribute to your sweet little firecracker. And what a precious blessing your step-mother-in-law is.
My husband and I have each lost a parent. At the close of each of these funerals, the grandchildren and children each chose a flower from the casket spray to keep. We have saved the dried flowers, so I’ll be looking into doing something similar. Once I’ve dried the tears from my cheeks.
Amy says
Thank you. 🙂 You will love having something like this.
Sheryll says
This really is beautiful, Amy! When my mom died, a friend took a collection of flowers from her funeral and dried them, made a bouquet and put it in a shadow box. One for me and one for my sister. I felt like this was the most special thing anyone had ever done for me! Thanks for your openness and sharing such inspiring things with us! God bless you!
Amy says
That sounds wonderful, Sheryll. What a thoughtful friend. 🙂
Amy @ Just being me says
Simply beautiful! What a great remembrance piece.