Natural funeral flowers
Natural, compostable, zero-waste
At Wild & May we specialise in natural, compostable funeral flowers using home grown, local and British flowers and foliage, grasses, straw, moss and bark wherever possible. Our coffin sprays, sheafs, wreaths and posies are made using natural materials such as willow frames (hand made from British willow by us) and raffia - we promise no plastic, no oasis, no foam, no tat. This makes our flowers suitable for natural burial grounds as well as traditional church and crematorium ceremonies.
Our designs reflect the wishes and preferences of you and your loved one, the seasons and have a wilder feel to bring comfort at a difficult time.
All our designs are fully compostable which means there is zero waste - we check and test whether materials are, actually, compostable even if they claim to be.
We also promise that working with us will be as simple as possible; we have significant experience of working with bereaved families and will help you find a fitting tribute and a celebration of life through flowers. Whether your loved one was a keen outdoors person, walker, cyclist, nature lover, feeder of the birds, gardener, natural history enthusiast or environmentalist we can help you create fitting and unique floral tributes. If you would like to include particular blooms, twigs, colours, or use flowers from the loved one’s garden - no problem. Many of our designs can be made with individual bunches or posies so that they can be dismantled after the ceremony and distributed to family and friends if desired.
Our service
Our service starts with a conversation by email, phone or in person whichever you feel most comfortable with. We will ask for key dates and locations, what sort of celebration you are having and what you want to happen to the flowers afterwards. We will talk about your loved one and what flowers you and they would like, what seasonal flowers are available, any requirements relating to the choice of burial ground or service and so on. There is no set time for this conversation, there is no charge and you are under no obligation to proceed with an order.
We can also meet those who are receiving end of life care and would like to discuss their own wishes for funeral flowers, or liaise with a death doula or representative if you prefer. We work with all faiths and those of no faith, with traditional funeral directors, crematoriums, natural burial grounds and a wide range of celebrants - with sensitivity, kindness and professionalism.
Delivery
We personally deliver all funeral flowers to funeral directors or another locations as you wish, on a specified date and time. Deliveries to Uckfield, Crowborough, Heathfield and within 10 miles of Maresfield are free. Deliveries outside this area can be arranged but may incur a small additional charge.
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Our services
- Casket or coffin spray from £385
Also known as single or double ended sprays or coffin toppers. Double ended tapers to a point at both ends (as in the photo above), whereas single ended has a head end and tapers towards a point at the foot end. These are often the main arrangement, placed on top of the casket and designed to be viewed from above and from the sides.
Our casket sprays are individually made using a range of seasonal foliage and flowers, and can incorporate your loved one’s favourite stems or flowers from their garden. All are fully compostable, using a base of willow and moss.
- Hand tied sheaf from £110
Also known as a funeral sheaf or flat back bouquet, these sit on top of the casket, it is not symmetrical so has flowers at one end and cut stems at the other and is positioned so that the flowers face the mourners. These are designed to be seen from above and the side.
The design is made entirely from flowers and foliage and tied with natural raffia (which is also compostable). The flowers do not have any water source so is made as close to the ceremony as possible and hand delivered to the funeral directors. The hand tied sheaf can be used to top the casket as an alternative to the spray or as an additional arrangement.
- Wreath from £95
Wreaths have been traditional floral tributes at ceremonies over time and in many cultures. They are sometimes sent by friends or family and can be displayed upright on a stand or placed on the ground. Wreaths can incorporate flowers from the loved one’s own garden or stems of a particular favourite, they can be fully decorated or part. The wreath could be the main flowers for a funeral or used as an additional element.
Our wreaths are made on willow frames of 30cm diameter, they are made without any wire and can be delicate, we use flowers and foliage that last better without a water source.
- For the wake - centrepieces, installations and posies
We can provide table centrepieces, runners, large installations and posies for the wake with the flowers and foliage selected to match the other floral elements of your ceremony. Costs will depend on your particular requirements and consideration for the building, table layout, style and size of wake. We can discuss options with you and provide prices if required.
- Single stemmed flower basket
We can supply a wicker basket with stems of a particular flower - these are sometimes thrown into the grave at the end of a service, or can be left on a casket for cremation. Prices can be provided if required.
Note that these are guide prices and the actual price may vary depending on your specifications.
Why choose natural funeral flowers?
1. Traditional funeral flowers are based on floral foam or oasis which does not break down, but instead leeches plastics into the soil and water courses. Wire frames, florists wire and mesh which often form the frames of arrangements are fundamentally not sustainable. Such single-use items contribute to pollution of graveyards (where the flowers are buried with the coffin) and to an increase in waste where they are left on a grave.
2. Increasing numbers of individuals and communities love wildlife, have a connection with nature and a desire to protect the environment. Compostable funeral flowers are a natural choice for your loved ones and sends a message that their lives were filled with joy for the natural world.
3. Compostable flowers are zero waste. The only items left from creating our designs is a bucket of bits of stem and leaves, these go into our compost system and are recycled onto the garden to grow next year’s flower crop.