On a bed of clay

For the base, a clay base was made that cracked as it dried - creating a lived-in aspect. A light structure was bound with iron wire and wrapped with bindwire from Oasis. Water tubes partially wrapped with bindwire were attached to this structure. After the structure is secured in the clay, a floral arrangement is created with sturdy Jatropha 'Firecracker', Anthurium mini and Begonia leaf combined with frilly Gloriosa superba 'Simba Fifty Shades'. Typha grass provides connection.

Heartwarming embrace

Around an Oasis wreath is tied the dried leaves of the Strelitzia which provides a solid embrace for the red center. This center of warm red flowers consists of Hydrangea 'Ruby Red', Rosa 'Ducati' and Scabiosa 'Dark Cherry'. Playful sprigs of Talinum paniculatum 'Long John' bring some lightness and sophistication to the composition.

Embrace

For the base of this arrangement, pieces of pulp cane were glued parallel to each other on a cardboard circle with wood glue. A bowl of Oasis Bio floral foam was placed in the center and attached to the circle. The space where the urn will be placed was marked out, then around the urn the flowers were placed at different heights and in different groups, like an embrace. Flowers and green materials used: Dahlia, Rosa, Daucus, Sandersonia, Ornithogalum, Oenothera (primrose), Centaurea (cornflower) and Asparagus plumosus.

Floral wave

The base of the waveform was formed from aluminum wire and Oasis Rustic Wire. Then the water tubes were wrapped with bindwire from Oasis and attached in the wavy base. In the water tubes, white callas (Zantedeschia) are arranged in the flowing lines of the arrangement. Tillandsia plants and Asparagus plumosus help provide a natural base.

Pure nature

On a bowl covered with Oasis Bio floral foam, a green base was first laid by completely covering the floral foam with green lichen and the stems of gypsophilia. Next, the flowers were placed. These all face the sky, but were incorporated at different heights to provide depth.

Flowers used: Paeonia, Chrysanthemum, Oenothera (primrose), Senecio, Robinia, Buddleja and Daucus.

'Creativity gives meaning to loss'

Belgian floral designer Sören van Laer finds making funeral arrangements a very important part of his work as a floral designer. 'Flowers not only bring comfort, they also express appreciation for the deceased. It is therefore very important to make very personal and creative funeral arrangements because creativity gives meaning to loss.'

'I signal an increase in demand for urn decorations. This requires a separate approach but also offers opportunities to create very refined funeral arrangements. For farewell flower arrangements, I prefer to use colorful flowers. Colors soften grief.'

Working with symbolism also generates many possibilities. 'For example, lavender has the properties of being soothing, calming, soothing, uplifting and balancing. The flower symbolizes balance, devotion, friendly love, admiration and beauty. Lavender has a subtle color and fragrance and in this way connects body, mind and spirit, making it an exquisite flower for farewell flower arrangements.'