Our Weekly Tip: A Unique Ceremonial Offering at a Funeral or Memorial Service

Josh’s sister Rosa’s last words to her Granny (Credit: beyond goodbye.co.uk)

Our Tip of the Week: Jimmy and Jane Edmonds lost their son Josh in a car accident while Josh was on vacation in Vietnam. They were shattered at his unexpected loss. As part of their grieving process, they created their own rituals to make the ceremony beautiful and unique. Years later when Josh’s grandmother Pat died, they used some of the same heartfelt rituals.

To help guests process her death, Jimmy and Jane offered them a most lovely opportunity. Each guest approached two baskets, one with single stemmed roses and the other of ribbons and felt-tip pens. Each guest could write some thoughts, reflections, saying, lyrics, poem or whatever they needed to say to to their Granny Pat.

People laying flowers and ribbons on Pat’s casket (Credit: beyond goodbye.co.uk)

Each guest would then tie the ribbon around the rose stem to place on her closed casket, creating a most beautiful display. Guests could then visit the casket and share their heartfelt words with each other. They also used Pat’s service as an opportunity to bring Josh’s memory into the ceremony with a second casket to symbolically represent his.

How-to Suggestions: You can purchase the flowers of your choice at any local floral shop or a wholesale market that sells directly to the public. Flowers with sturdy stems are best. If you use roses, be sure to remove the thorns.

Better quality flat textured fabric ribbon can be bought by the roll online or at a local craft store. We recommend the ribbon be cut to at least a 36” length. The ends can be cut with a straight, chamfered or rabbit eared edge. Be sure to provide thicker felt-tip pens that easily write on a ribbon. We recommend you go to an art store with a sample of the ribbon and try different pens to see what works best.

This wonderful idea can be used at any type of service. The beautiful flowers with trailing ribbons can be placed in front of an urn or images of a loved one if no urn is present. Read more about Jimmy and Jane Edmonds on their blog “Beyond Goodbye” as their ongoing tribute to Josh and their Granny Pat.