In Lieu of Flowers...In Lieu of Donations?

"In lieu of flowers".

I absolutely detest this phrase.

Have you ever attended a funeral service with no sympathy flowers?

It's a cold environment, bereft of any emotions.

I don't get it, because flowers are the way we always express our feelings.

Literally from beginning to end, Simon Says Roses Florists are there to help celebrate our customers' lives:

• at birth, we celebrate with a small bud vase and a plush teddy bear
• for birthdays, we celebrate with a tasteful vase arrangement of flowers
• for anniversaries, we may celebrate with one rose for every year of marriage
• for sickness, we celebrate the opportunity to get well soon with a mixed basket of green & blooming plants
• Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Secretaries' Day & Christmas are all associated with flowers
• for graduation, we celebrate with a presentation bouquet
• for welcome home after a time away, we celebrate with a single rose
• for a new home purchase, we celebrate with a fruit or gourmet food basket
• and of course we celebrate marriage with wedding flowers
• we celebrate a new job, a promotion... 

In fact we celebrate every major event in our lives with flowers.

Except when we pass away, and then we tell our family & friends to forget flowers.

Just send a cheque to a charity instead.

But I can donate to these noble causes at any time.

I do donate, and often.

But I'm not sure why is it o.k. to send a cheque as an expression of sympathy. Why do funeral directors push this option so much? At a time when flowers can mean so much?

I know when I pass away, friends & family will gather at the funeral home, church, or the family home...

...And there's a Celebration of Life!

 

Now THIS is how a life should be celebrated, like at this church service for the Mother of a florist.