How to Repurpose Funeral and Sympathy Flowers into Wreaths

Flowers bring comfort during emotional moments like funerals and memorials. Even after a service ends, those beautiful arrangements still hold deep meaning. Instead of letting them fade away, many families choose to repurpose them into lasting décor pieces such as wreaths. Transforming sympathy flowers in Calgary and funeral flowers in Calgary into wreaths preserves their memory in a thoughtful, sustainable way.

Why Repurpose Floral Arrangements?

It can be difficult to say goodbye to floral tributes sent from loved ones. Repurposing them allows families to extend the life of funeral flowers in Calgary beyond the day of the service. It offers a way to heal by creating something new from the expressions of support received. For those wanting to keep sentimental blooms close, wreaths make a meaningful keepsake displayed indoors or kept for special remembrance days.

Select the Flowers with Personal Meaning

Start by choosing blooms that hold significance—maybe a spouse’s favourite flower or those gifted by a close friend. Sympathy flowers in Calgary often include lilies, roses, orchids, and chrysanthemums, all of which dry beautifully for wreath designs. Greens like eucalyptus or ferns provide structure and volume while retaining shape and subtle fragrance.
If you have multiple arrangements, sort the flowers by colour and type. This helps you visualize your wreath’s style and ensures nothing important gets overlooked.

Drying Funeral Flowers for Crafting

Before building your wreath, the blooms must be preserved. Funeral flowers in Calgary can be dried naturally by hanging them upside down in a dark, cool room. This helps retain colour while preventing mould. Drying usually takes one to two weeks depending on flower type.

For delicate petals like roses, you may gently open the bloom before hanging so it maintains a fuller appearance once dry. Sympathy flowers in Calgary with thick stems or high moisture (like carnations) may take longer, so be patient.

Pressing flowers is another option for a flatter, rustic wreath style. You can place petals or small stems inside heavy books for several weeks until fully dry.

Creating the Wreath Base

You can purchase wreath rings from most craft shops or reuse natural options such as grapevine bases. A grapevine frame adds a warm, organic look that complements dried arrangements. If starting from scratch, intertwining flexible branches into a circle makes a sturdy foundation.
Attach dried greens first to form the main shape. Secure them using floral wire or a hot glue gun. Once your base is covered, layer in dried blooms from the former funeral flowers in Calgary arrangement, positioning larger flowers first and filling gaps with smaller ones later.

Arranging with Style and Meaning

Wreath designs can be simple or elaborate, depending on preference. Some families choose to highlight just a few special blooms from sympathy flowers in Calgary and fill the rest with greenery. Others opt for a full, colourful tribute that resembles the original arrangement.

Consider incorporating keepsakes like ribbon from the service, memorial cards, or charms. These additions personalize the wreath and make it a true symbol of remembrance.

Caring for Your Memorial Wreath

After you finish your creation, place it away from direct sunlight and moisture to help maintain its condition for months or even years. Occasional dusting with a soft brush can keep petals looking fresh. If the wreath includes more fragile materials, encasing it in a shadow box frame can protect it while allowing display anywhere in your home.

With gentle care, these recycled funeral flowers in Calgary can become a long-lasting reminder of love and shared memories.
Grief can be overwhelming, but creating something meaningful through floral repurposing allows healing to unfold in a personal, creative way. Turning sympathy flowers in Calgary into a wreath is a tribute that honours the past while providing beauty and comfort for the future.
If you need thoughtfully designed funeral flowers in Calgary that can be preserved into lasting memorial keepsakes, Calgary Florists is here to support you every step of the way. Contact us to create floral arrangements that bring comfort today—and cherished remembrance for years to come