A funeral director in Toledo told me my sympathy arrangements were 'too cheerful'

He said the bright pink gerbera daisies looked like a birthday party, not a memorial. I've always leaned into color to celebrate a life, but his comment stuck with me for weeks... do you think there's a line we shouldn't cross with funeral flowers?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_fiona2mo ago

Too cheerful" reminds me of an article on modern funeral trends.

blake8972mo ago

Actually, I kind of like that shift. A funeral should fit the person, and some people lived really bright, happy lives. It feels more honest to celebrate that way sometimes.

wesley13927d ago

Blake, yeah I get that completely. My uncle was the life of every party, loved music and dancing right up until the end. We played his favorite songs and told funny stories at his service, and it just felt right. There were tears but also lots of real laughter, and I think that's what he would have wanted. It's not about forgetting the sadness, it's about honoring the whole person they were.