Winter Funeral Flower Preservation

The wrought iron gates to a Chicago cemetery are visible on a morning that just received less than an inch of snow.  A depiction of winter funeral service concerns in Chicago.

Living and working in Chicago, we all know how challenging our winters can be. As someone who’s helped families with funeral flowers through many winter seasons, I’ve learned that keeping arrangements beautiful during freezing temperatures takes some extra care and planning. I’d like to share some practical advice that might help you during this difficult time.

Understanding Chicago Winter Challenges

Anyone who’s lived through a Chicago winter knows what we’re up against. Between the bitter winds off Lake Michigan and those unexpected temperature swings, winter services need special attention. Here’s what we typically deal with:

Temperature Changes

We often see these shifts during services:

  • Warm funeral homes (around 70°F)
  • Older churches that can be quite chilly
  • That difficult transition to outdoor services
  • The challenge of transport between locations

These changes can be hard on flowers, but there are ways to help them last.

A Chicago florist delivery driver places a beautiful mix of purple and white sympathy flowers in the back of a black SUV on Ohio Street in downtown Chicago.

Flowers That Hold Up Well in Winter

Through trial and error, I’ve found these flowers tend to do well in cold conditions:

Reliable Choices

  • Chrysanthemums: These are wonderfully sturdy flowers that handle cold well
  • Roses: Some varieties are particularly good for winter
  • Oriental Lilies: These usually stay beautiful even in cold conditions
  • Carnations: They’re surprisingly resilient in winter weather

Good Supporting Flowers

  • Alstroemeria: These add nice color and last well
  • Snapdragons: They’re stronger than they look
  • Status: Provides good fullness in arrangements

Winter Greens

These add nice texture and hold up well:

  • Cedar: Naturally suited to cold
  • Pine: Adds a seasonal touch
  • Holly: When appropriate for the service

Practical Protection Methods

Here are some simple but effective ways we protect arrangements:

For Indoor Services

These approaches help a lot:

  1. Extra wrapping around stems to keep in moisture
  2. Keeping arrangements away from heating vents and cold drafts
  3. Using deeper water reserves in vases
  4. Adding extra water packets in foam arrangements

For Outdoor Services

When we know we’ll be outside:

  1. Using protective wraps that are easy to remove
  2. Finding spots that block the wind
  3. Having backup flowers just in case
  4. Planning for quick transitions

Getting Flowers There Safely

Winter delivery needs extra care:

Basic Preparations

We try to:

  • Keep vehicles at a steady temperature
  • Use extra protection for exposed blooms
  • Plan routes carefully in bad weather
  • Allow extra time for weather delays

Simple Protection Steps

This three-layer approach works well:

  1. Moisture protection near the flowers
  2. Insulation in the middle
  3. Wind protection on the outside

Different Types of Services

Each type of service has its own needs:

Church Services

What usually works best:

  • Arriving early to let flowers adjust to temperature
  • Working with church staff on best placement
  • Planning careful moves to cemetery

Funeral Home Services

Some helpful approaches:

  • Checking arrangements regularly
  • Adjusting water as needed
  • Planning ahead for multi-day viewings

When the Weather Gets Really Bad

Living in Chicago means being ready for anything. Here’s what helps during severe weather:

Basic Backup Plans

It’s good to have:

  • A few alternative design options ready
  • Different route options in mind
  • Extra supplies in the vehicle
  • Good communication with the funeral director

I remember one particularly snowy day last winter when we had to adapt quickly. The family was so understanding, and together we found ways to make everything work beautifully despite the weather.

Helpful Tips for Families Planning Winter Services

If you’re planning a winter service, here are some things to consider:

Timing Tips

These often help:

  • Morning services usually have better road conditions
  • Building in some extra time for weather delays
  • Having a backup plan for outdoor portions
  • Keeping some flexibility in the schedule

Flower Choices

Consider these factors:

  1. Hardier flowers might be a good choice
  2. Indoor photos might be easier than outdoor
  3. Think about flowers you might want to preserve
  4. Consider arrangements that transfer easily

What We Try to Provide

During winter services, we aim to:

  • Be on time, even in bad weather
  • Keep arrangements looking fresh
  • Have backup flowers if needed
  • Stay available if you need help
  • Monitor arrangements throughout the service
A gorgeous mix of ivory roses and white lilies sit on display at a church in Chicago's Edison Park neighborhood.

Real Situations and Solutions

Sometimes sharing real experiences helps. Here are a couple of common situations:

Sudden Cold Snaps

What tends to work:

  • Moving flowers gradually to colder areas
  • Using extra protection layers
  • Keeping some flowers in reserve
  • Being ready to move arrangements inside quickly

Snow During Services

These approaches usually help:

  • Having covers ready for outdoor arrangements
  • Placing arrangements in more protected spots
  • Making quick adjustments as needed
  • Working closely with funeral staff

Keeping Flowers After the Service

Many families ask about preserving flowers. Here are some suggestions:

Preservation Ideas

Some options to consider:

  • Pressing some of the flowers
  • Drying certain blooms
  • Taking good photos of the arrangements
  • Creating memorial cards with pressed flowers

Taking Flowers Home

If you’d like to keep some arrangements:

  • We can suggest which flowers last longest
  • We’ll share simple care tips
  • We can help divide larger arrangements
  • We can recommend preservation methods

Here to Help

Planning a funeral is never easy, and winter weather adds extra challenges. We’re here to help make this part a little easier. We work with many local funeral homes and churches, and we’re happy to share what we’ve learned about handling winter services.

If You Need Assistance

Feel free to reach out:

  • We can answer questions about winter services
  • We’ll share honest advice about what works
  • We can help with practical planning
  • We understand these are difficult times

Every family’s needs are different, and we’re here to help figure out what would work best for your situation. It’s about making things a little easier during a challenging time.

Looking back at many winter services over the years, I’ve seen how much the right flowers can mean to families. Whether it’s a small, intimate gathering or a larger service, we’ll work with you to create something beautiful that honors your loved one, even in the middle of a Chicago winter.

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