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Building Relationships with Funeral Directors to Increase Sympathy Floral Opportunities
According to the National Funeral Directors Association’s Price List Study, funeral costs have not risen as quickly as the rate of inflation. One reason for this may be that funeral directors assist families in making decisions that align with their budgets—one of which is the inclusion of flowers.
Since funeral directors are the primary point of contact, maintaining strong relationships with local funeral homes is essential. They often guide clients and help them allocate budgets, including those for floral arrangements. Building close working relationships with local funeral directors allows you to showcase your talent and practical services.
Funeral directors need confidence that florists can provide personalized options reflecting the family’s wishes while ensuring a seamless partnership. They also want to feel assured that your business is reliable, offering prompt deliveries and high-quality materials. Lastly, budgets need to align. Silk flowers address the demands for personalization, durability, stability, and budget-friendliness.
To read more about the initial benefits of using silk flowers, see Part 1.
Practical Benefits: Silk Flowers Transport Easily
Delivering funeral flowers presents a unique set of challenges that set it apart from standard floral deliveries. Funeral services operate on tight schedules, often with only a few days' notice. Flowers must arrive precisely on time, requiring careful coordination with funeral homes. Any delays can cause significant disruption and distress. An ample supply of beautiful flowers is crucial for meeting these demands, and silk flowers provide a valuable head start.
Additionally, funeral arrangements are often large, intricate, and fragile, requiring careful handling to prevent damage during transport. Silk flowers pose fewer challenges in this regard. While care is still necessary, they alleviate logistical concerns such as excessive weight and balance issues. Managing quick and complex deliveries, which may involve multiple locations, is noticeably simpler with silk flowers.
Practical Solutions: Silk Flowers Are Budget-Friendly
According to The Zebra, an online platform for comparing insurance rates, the average cost of funeral flowers is $600, while a wreath is estimated at $150. Any professional floral designer knows these figures are on the low side. If consumers expect these price points, fresh flowers may not always be the feasible option.
To retail a wreath for $150, a practical approach would be to start with a premade artificial wreath and customize it with additional silk flowers.
Casket sprays often require as many as six dozen roses. Opting for artificial rose bushes can significantly reduce costs, not only for the flowers themselves but also for related supplies, such as floral preservatives.
In summary, building a profitable sympathy floral business hinges on establishing strong relationships with funeral directors. By delivering funeral arrangements with professionalism, precision, and sensitivity, florists can thrive. Today’s lifelike silk flowers provide designers with a competitive edge.
Shop Pioneer's selection of sympathy & monument supplies, greenery, and florals today!
Stay tuned for part three of our sympathy series, where we will explore the diverse opportunities available in sympathy florals.
A collaboration between writer Laura Vitale and Sarah Botchick of Pioneer.
