CFD Sympathy & Funeral Floral Design 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What type of floral arrangement is traditionally placed on top of a closed casket during a funeral service?
- A standing spray displayed on an easel
- A casket spray or casket blanket (Correct answer)
- A sympathy wreath hung at the entrance
- A funeral cross placed at the altar
Correct answer: A casket spray or casket blanket
A casket spray or casket blanket is the traditional floral piece placed directly on top of a closed casket, and it is typically ordered by the immediate family.
Question 2: Which flowers are most traditionally associated with sympathy and funeral arrangements in the United States?
- Sunflowers, daisies, and marigolds
- Protea, anthuriums, and birds of paradise
- White lilies, white roses, and gladioli (Correct answer)
- Red tulips, yellow daffodils, and orange gerberas
Correct answer: White lilies, white roses, and gladioli
White lilies, white roses, and gladioli are among the most traditional sympathy flowers in the US, symbolizing purity, peace, and reverence.
Question 3: A 'standing spray' in sympathy floral design is specifically created to be displayed on what type of support?
- A flat table surface near the guest book
- A window ledge inside the funeral home
- A shelf mounted on the funeral home wall
- An easel or wire stand beside the casket (Correct answer)
Correct answer: An easel or wire stand beside the casket
A standing spray is a large, one-sided triangular or fan-shaped arrangement designed to stand upright on an easel or wire stand, typically positioned beside or behind the casket.
Question 4: What material is most commonly saturated with water and used as the primary mechanics base for fresh sympathy floral arrangements?
- Perlite mixed with potting soil
- Dry foam wrapped in plastic sheeting
- Floral foam (such as OASIS brand) (Correct answer)
- Sphagnum moss packed in a wire cage
Correct answer: Floral foam (such as OASIS brand)
Saturated fresh floral foam, such as OASIS brand foam, is the industry-standard medium for sympathy pieces because it retains water and keeps flowers fresh throughout the service.
Question 5: In sympathy floral design, a 'half-couch spray' is intended to cover which portion of the casket?
- The entire length of a fully closed casket
- Both halves of the casket when the lid is fully open
- The lower closed portion of a half-open casket (Correct answer)
- Only the pillow area visible inside an open casket
Correct answer: The lower closed portion of a half-open casket
A half-couch spray is designed to rest on the lower half of a half-couch casket that remains closed while the upper half is open for viewing.
Question 6: What key information must a florist confirm when taking a sympathy order for flowers to be sent to a funeral service?
- The customer's birth date and personal flower preferences
- The name of the deceased, funeral home address, and service date and time (Correct answer)
- The denomination of the church or religious institution
- The estimated number of guests expected at the funeral
Correct answer: The name of the deceased, funeral home address, and service date and time
Accurate sympathy orders require the full name of the deceased, the funeral home name and address, and the exact service date and time to guarantee timely and correct delivery.
Question 7: Why are dish gardens and living plant arrangements a popular sympathy gift choice?
- They are significantly cheaper than fresh-cut flower arrangements
- They require no sunlight or watering after the service
- They are mandated by most funeral homes as an alternative to cut flowers
- They provide a lasting living memorial that families can keep after the service (Correct answer)
Correct answer: They provide a lasting living memorial that families can keep after the service
Living dish gardens are valued as sympathy gifts because they can be taken home by the family and serve as a long-lasting, living reminder of the person who passed.
CFD Sympathy & Funeral Floral Design 1
What type of floral arrangement is traditionally placed on top of a closed casket during a funeral service?