Our Monthly Tip: Spell Your Loved One’s Name with Floral Letters

Credit: HGTV

Our Tip of the Month

Floral letters can provide beautiful decorations for a memorial that spells out the name of your loved one who has died. While this project does take a little time to assemble, it can be a rewarding and meditative pastime, especially for those who enjoy crafts and gardening. You may choose to prepare the letters on your own or with the help of friends and family who are also mourning your loved one.

When completed, these letters will bring your loved one’s name to life with vibrant colors and natural beauty. They can serve as a festive centerpiece or be hung on a wall or fence. You may even decide to keep the letters after your memorial and fill them with flowers again for future events as a way to honor your loved one’s memory.

Credit: HGTV

How-to Suggestions

First, decide whether you wish to spell out your loved one’s full name or their initials. Then, buy papier-maché letters or letters made of floral foam, either of which can be found online or at your local craft store. If you use papier-maché letters, you will need to cut off the front face of each letter, and then cut floral foam to fit inside of them, as in the photo above.

Next, choose your flowers. You might pick something that was significant to your loved one, such as their favorite color or flower, or flowers cut from their garden. There are also a number of flowers that are traditionally associated with specific emotions or themes, such as love or remembrance.

Credit: Pinterest

Artificial flowers are also an option, particularly if you are planning to use the letters for an extended period and are concerned about the flowers wilting.

Once you have selected the flowers, cut the stems down to a couple of inches, and insert them into the floral foam in each letter. You can spritz them with water periodically to keep the foam damp, which will help the flowers stay fresh, but be aware that the moisture may seep through the foam and/or papier maché. For this reason, it’s a good idea to cover any surfaces that you set them on, particularly fine wood.

These lovely handmade decorations are a wonderful way to honor a loved one who enjoyed gardening or the outdoors — or who simply appreciated natural beauty.