Tuesday 24th November 2026
Thoughtful, natural and beautifully made funeral flowers
 
Join Claire Cowling of Thrive Floristry for a full day exploring the art of creating beautiful, natural and considered funeral designs.
With more than 35 years’ experience in floristry and over two decades specialising in natural and sustainable funeral flowers, Claire brings a wealth of practical knowledge and experience to this important area of floristry.
This hands-on workshop is for professional florists and experienced florists who would like to develop their funeral work, explore natural approaches to traditional designs and gain confidence in creating meaningful flowers for a very personal occasion.
 
Funeral flowers require a different way of thinking. They need to be beautifully designed and expertly constructed, but they also need to reflect the person who has died and the wishes of their family.
 
We'll explore how to create designs that feel natural, personal and full of meaning, while considering the practical requirements of funeral work.
 
On the day we'll explore:
Natural approaches to funeral and sympathy flowers
Creating designs that are personal and meaningful
Working with seasonal flowers, foliage and natural materials
Alternative approaches to traditional funeral designs
Mechanics and construction for strong, practical and planet friendly designs
Shape, proportion, movement and balance
Creating texture and interest using natural materials
Foam-free techniques and more sustainable approaches
How to interpret a family's wishes and turn ideas into a beautiful floral tribute
Practical considerations when designing flowers for funerals
Ideas that can be adapted for your own funeral and sympathy work
 
There will be demonstrations from Claire, followed by plenty of hands-on creating, giving you the opportunity to try techniques, explore different approaches and discuss your own experiences and ideas.
 
Flowers that tell a story
Funeral flowers are about much more than simply making something beautiful.
A favourite flower, a particular colour, a love of gardening, a connection with nature or a much-loved hobby can all provide inspiration for a floral tribute.
We'll look at how to listen to what a family is telling you, interpret those details creatively and create flowers that feel genuinely personal to them.
 
Claire has spent many years developing natural and sustainable approaches to funeral floristry and has shared her knowledge through her books Straight from the Heart: Sympathy Flowers for the 21st Century and Sympathy Collection.
 
This workshop is an opportunity to learn from that experience, refine your techniques and develop your own approach to this very important part of professional floristry.
 
A day to learn, create and develop your skills
Funeral floristry can be one of the most rewarding areas of our work, but it can also be challenging. Having the right techniques, understanding the mechanics and feeling confident in your design decisions can make all the difference.
 
Come along for a day of hands-on floristry, learning and sharing ideas with other professional florists, in a relaxed and supportive environment.
 
Suitable for professional florists and florists with a good level of experience.
Places are limited to ensure the workshop remains hands-on, with plenty of opportunity for individual guidance, questions and discussion.
 
Timings: 9.30am–4pm