Taking funeral flowers to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Setting the scene - a tranquil English country churchyard was recreated from sustainable mechanics and British flowers, displaying many types of funeral arrangement on individual gravestones.

I’ve just returned from the most unforgettable day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, widely considered the world’s most prestigious flower and gardening show – and I couldn’t wait to share it with you. I had the absolute honour of working behind the scenes on a Gold Medal-winning floral installation, and not just any design… this one re-imagined funeral flowers in the most breathtaking and meaningful way. Think British-grown blooms, foam-free mechanics, and storytelling through stems – all on the world’s biggest floral stage. It was moving, magical, and completely inspiring. Let me take you with me into the heart of Chelsea...

The centre of the display was a willow coffin on silver birch pall bearers, standing around 10 foot high and overflowing with the most beautiful foliage and flowers. The man and his dog looked on in reflection.

 I'm a proud member of the Farewell Flowers Directory – a collective of florists across the UK who are passionate about creating sustainable, meaningful funeral flowers that truly honour a life. The directory was founded by the brilliant Gill Hodgson and Carole Patilla, two pioneers in eco-conscious floristry, who also designed the breathtaking installation that was brought to life at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The piece challenged traditional ideas around funeral flowers, using British-grown blooms and completely foam-free mechanics to show just how beautiful and thoughtful a natural farewell can be. The response was overwhelming – not only did it win a Gold Medal, but the installation captured the attention of national press, helping spread the word far and wide about the future of sustainable funeral floristry.

Not only did the installation win Gold, it also received the royal nod of approval too. King Charles has long been an advocate of sustainability - the wreath on the late Queen's coffin was made using the methods we promote.  

One of my floristry heroes and well known faces of the show, Royal florist - Simon Lycett, who was keen to share the sentiment of the piece amongst his own social following.

This installation was so important because, right now, the world of funeral flowers is in urgent need of change. The volume of waste created through traditional tributes is staggering – from single-use plastics to non-biodegradable floral foam, which breaks down into microplastics and pollutes our waterways. The RHS has already banned foam from its shows, and groups like the Farewell Flowers Directory are now campaigning for the Church of England to follow suit, which would make a huge difference to funeral work across the country.

I had an amazing conversation with Dr Jill Timms from the Sustainable Flower Project, who has been researching and advocating for eco-friendly floristry for over 20 years. She told me how thrilled she was to see real momentum building at last – that people are finally listening, open to change, and ready to talk. 

Of course, a big part of our mission at Chelsea was to start those public conversations. Some questioned whether funeral flowers had a place at the show, worrying it might feel too heavy - nothing like this had ever been featured in the entire history of the show. But the response was overwhelmingly positive. We invited visitors to fill out small cards sharing how they’d like their funeral to be, and the honesty, warmth and thoughtfulness in their responses sparked so many powerful, moving conversations – the kind we all know we should have, but often don’t.

The stand received such a positive welcome. People were asked if they'd like to fill in a card and by the end of the day over a thousand cards like these surrounded the stand - thought provoking conversation starters. 

The installation itself was truly extraordinary – a beautiful balance of artistry, symbolism, and deep emotional resonance. The colour palette was soft yet somehow rich and regal, blending dusky pinks, deep purples, and creamy whites that felt both comforting and dignified. Every flower was seasonal and British-grown – from billowy peonies and romantic roses to tall foxgloves and wild, textural ferns – all nestled among lush, abundant foliage. 

Each gravestone in the scene had its own unique arrangement: a violin filled with flowers, a shareable basket tribute, a living plant wreath and a pair of flowered boots to name a few - each one telling its own quiet story. 

At the heart of the piece was a life-sized man and dog, sculpted from chicken wire by artist Sue Nichols, each wearing their own floral adornments – a poignant and deeply moving touch that brought the human connection to life. And one of my favourite details? A tiny felted sparrow, hidden in the coffin display, quietly watching over it all. Every inch of the display had been so thoughtfully considered, layered with meaning and beauty. I stood beside it for eight hours and still couldn’t stop looking – each time, noticing something new.

The figure of a man holding a posy of poppies, made by artist Sue Nichols, brought a very emotive and human feel to the installation.

Every detail had been thought of - a tiny felted sparrow nested in the foliage could only be spotted when you really took the time to look closely.

Regal bearded iris in a deep purple shade were complemented with soft pinks and creamy whites making for a soft, yet rich feel. In my opinion, the colour palette was exquisite and perfect for the display.

 I'm so proud to have been able to be part of something so ground breaking. It was a truly wonderful experience – to work alongside such talented, passionate florists and help bring this powerful message to life on one of the world’s biggest stages.

One of the most moving parts of the day was reading the cards people filled out in response to a simple, but rarely asked question: “How would you like your funeral to be?” The answers were honest and heartfelt – full of memories, love, laughter, friendship, family, and a life well lived. Not one mentioned money in any way. It was a quiet reminder that in the end, it’s the simple things – connection, beauty, meaning – that truly matter.

So I’ll leave you with the same question. 

How would you like your farewell to be?

Warmest wishes,

Amy x

Photo credits - some my own, others from the Farewell Flowers Directory media pack.