Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-07-13
Funeral Flowers.

Aui CuSIOlH OI SenutnS uOrat tributes 10
the funerals of deceased friends has
grown wonderfully, and now the easket
that incloses the remains of a loved one
is almost invariably surrounded with
handsome floral tributes in various de-
signs, showing the esteem in which the
departed is held. Out of this another
beautiful custom has grown. Every
Easter Sunday the chancels of the
churches, especially the Episcopal
churches, are filled with handsome me-
mortal pieces, placed there in memory
of loved ones gone before. Yesterday
afternoon a reporter visited some of the
leading florists of the city and ques-
toned them on the subject of memorial
flowers.
Mr.. E. Pieser said that the florists
made their own designs, from which the
wireworkcr made his frames. Each
florist tried to protect his new designs
for exclusive use, but sooner or later
they were copied by others.
"What flowers are used principally in
this work." asked the reporter.
Carnations in the winter and bal
sans in the summer. Other flowers are
also used, but these are the principal
ones from which memorial pieces are
made.n
"What do you use in letteringp'
ain summer we use immortelles and
in winter violets."
"What is the process of making up
these designs?'
"The wire frames are filled up with
wet moss, and the flowers are wired
onto toothpicks and stuck in. The work
requires considerable labor, care, and
taste -
"What are the principal designsP"
"The sGates Ajar' is favorite de-
sign, also the 'hour-glass.' Then there
are sickles, scythes, chalices, crowns
and crosses, Bibles, crosses, wreaths,
hearts, stars, anchors, Tyres, harts,
broken columns, etc. A handsome de-
sign is the Faith, hope, aud charity
cross, crown, and anchor
"How do the prices range?"
"In summer from SO to $3.50, and in
winter from SIS to 5000. Where special
designs are ordered the price is in
creased. We made the design of the
engine and tunnel, which was given re-
Gently at the funeral of a prominent
railroad official in this city. 1t cost
$4OO. We also made a floral ledger for
the funeral of young bookkeeper.
That cost $780,"
"How long can these designs be pre-
served?''
"We can keep them for eight days if
necessary, in good condition, but when
they leave us they generally fade within
forty eight hours"
"Has the demand for these pieces in.
creased latelyP''
so, yes. Since Jan. last there has
been a very large demand for funeral
flowers of all kinds. We have used
more white flowers than ever before. !"
"Do you always have flowers on
hand sufficient to fill all orders?"
"Yes. either in our store or at our
greenhouses"
''How about Easter memorial de-
signs?'
ssThe demand for them is large.
Some florists use colors in making the No
up, but we use tints, as being more ap-
propriate."
John c. Craig was called on by the
reporter. He said that more funeral
flowers had been sold recently than ever
before, and the demand was increasing
constantly"
"Do you make your own designsp"
eyes, but other florists copy them,
and it is impossible to keep our new de-
signs exclusively for our own use. !
am the originator of one of the most
popular designs for funerals-the Gates
Ajar.' 1t was first used about three
casters ago as memorial piece al Trim
ity Episcopal Church, but since that
time has been copied and used largely
all through the West.''
"What flowers do you use in these
pieces?"
Carnations, roses, lilies of the valley,
hyacinth, and white tulips. Camellias
should not be used as funeral flower.
Few of them are used here, and in the
East they are not used at ALL"
"What are the favorite funeral
pieces?"
"I think that for funeral work cut
flowers in punches are being used to a
great extent. The casket is studded
with them, as is the interior of the
grave, which is lined with pine or ar
borvite. They give very rich effect.
The newest and largest design l have
made is that of a broken tree. The
'Gates Ajar' is favorite piece, and
other pieces are the broken column,
harp, Tyre, cross, crown, and anchor,
star, scythe, sickle, cross, chalice, crown,
Bible, pillow, sheaf of wheat, hour
glass, wreaths, heart, etc."
"How do these pieces range in
priceP"
swell, the sGates Ajar' is from S25
to 800, and the other pieces are made
from 81 to $500. The season of the
year affects the prices considerably.
Large pieces and those of special design
cost more"
"What flower do you use in lettering
designsP"
"It depends upon the season of the
year. We use immortelles and violets,
and at present forget-me-nots."
care white flowers used in funeral
and Easter work?''
"They are, largely; but think col
ored flowers are quite as appropriate.
In the East they are used altogether.
Delicate pink and white tints are used a
great deal. For Easter, spring flowers
are popular in memorial pieces. The
demand for Easter memorial pieces is
growing ,s-Chicn0o Tribune