My brother & sister still aren't here - and probably won't arrive until late tomorrow night.. I have to admit that I'm getting a little impatient now.. There's so much to do - and so many decisions to be made - and it all hinges on my brother's arrival..
Not knowing what else to do, I decided to start looking for flowers.. The one thing we were able to settle on the phone was that we would just get a spray for the casket and ask that those who chose to do so make donations to the Alzheimer's Foundation in lieu of additional flowers..
Let me preface this by saying I nearly passed out when I saw what they are charging for casket sprays now.. (And yes - I checked out many sites..) Some were only carnations - not even roses - and they were over $400!! I swear - Mom would come back and beat us up if we spent that kind of money on her flowers - and that would be the end of our "beautiful memories" of her last day on earth..
Eventually though - after going through many, many, many sites, I found this - and fell in love with it! It's so unique - I've never seen anything quite like this before.
http://www.frankgallo.com/product/the-ftd-blanket-of-flowers/display
Has anyone here ever been to a funeral where someone had this specific design on the casket? I think it's so pretty.. I think Mom would be very happy with the flowers that are in the arrangement - and I think she would also approve of the price (even if we went with the "best" version)..
It's also come to my attention that my mother does not have any type of dress that is suitable for burial, so I suppose we're going to have to purchase something from the funeral home.. Her favorite color was light aqua blue, but if they don't have that, I think light blue would be fine.. Any idea how much they run? She was not a "frilly" person (lace and such) - yet very feminine - if that makes sense..
I'm still hoping for services on Friday - at the latest - whether it be early afternoon viewing and funeral immediately after - or just a private family viewing/service and then straight to the cemetery..
My brother's DD is pretty sure she can take care of finding a priest (she's going to speak with the priest at the church she attends every Sunday), so hopefully there won't be any problems there..
As I mentioned in the other thread, there are no friends left - just her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a couple of nieces, and a handful of great nieces & nephews.. My thoughts are that if we can't get it in the paper on time, we can sort of do a telephone chain (each family notifying their family members) and then after the fact we'll put a notice in the paper that she had passed.. (I know I've seen that before - I just don't remember exactly how it was worded..)
Someone - I can't remember who (I've talked to so many people since she passed away) mentioned holding off until Monday and I thought my head would explode!!!! That is waaaay too long from now - and completely unnecessary once my brother & sister finally get here..
So anyhow - what do you think of the flowers?
And - what experiences have people had with dresses from the funeral home?
Not knowing what else to do, I decided to start looking for flowers.. The one thing we were able to settle on the phone was that we would just get a spray for the casket and ask that those who chose to do so make donations to the Alzheimer's Foundation in lieu of additional flowers..
Let me preface this by saying I nearly passed out when I saw what they are charging for casket sprays now.. (And yes - I checked out many sites..) Some were only carnations - not even roses - and they were over $400!! I swear - Mom would come back and beat us up if we spent that kind of money on her flowers - and that would be the end of our "beautiful memories" of her last day on earth..
Eventually though - after going through many, many, many sites, I found this - and fell in love with it! It's so unique - I've never seen anything quite like this before.
http://www.frankgallo.com/product/the-ftd-blanket-of-flowers/display
Has anyone here ever been to a funeral where someone had this specific design on the casket? I think it's so pretty.. I think Mom would be very happy with the flowers that are in the arrangement - and I think she would also approve of the price (even if we went with the "best" version)..
It's also come to my attention that my mother does not have any type of dress that is suitable for burial, so I suppose we're going to have to purchase something from the funeral home.. Her favorite color was light aqua blue, but if they don't have that, I think light blue would be fine.. Any idea how much they run? She was not a "frilly" person (lace and such) - yet very feminine - if that makes sense..
I'm still hoping for services on Friday - at the latest - whether it be early afternoon viewing and funeral immediately after - or just a private family viewing/service and then straight to the cemetery..
My brother's DD is pretty sure she can take care of finding a priest (she's going to speak with the priest at the church she attends every Sunday), so hopefully there won't be any problems there..
As I mentioned in the other thread, there are no friends left - just her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a couple of nieces, and a handful of great nieces & nephews.. My thoughts are that if we can't get it in the paper on time, we can sort of do a telephone chain (each family notifying their family members) and then after the fact we'll put a notice in the paper that she had passed.. (I know I've seen that before - I just don't remember exactly how it was worded..)
Someone - I can't remember who (I've talked to so many people since she passed away) mentioned holding off until Monday and I thought my head would explode!!!! That is waaaay too long from now - and completely unnecessary once my brother & sister finally get here..
So anyhow - what do you think of the flowers?
And - what experiences have people had with dresses from the funeral home?
I think the flowers are beautiful and would work well for someone who is feminine but not frilly.
- but my brother would really have a fit if I did that (even Walmart or Kmart).. 
