Funeral flowers, how much to put in?

looby75

Opinions please.

Last week my elderly neighbour passed away in her sleep. She's lived in this street ever since the houses were built and was the perfect neighbour. She was the person you could get things delivered to if you were going to be out, the person to leave your spare key with to let workmen in, she saw nothing but knew everything She was like the mother of the street.

She had no children of her own, her husband died about 4 years ago.

Her next door neighbour has gone round the street asking for donations for flowers from us all. I think it's a lovely idea because she did do a lot for us all over the years and we were kind of her family.

Question is how much should I put in. I'm not exactly rolling in it but I don't want to look "cheap"

go_cat

Sorry to hear that.

Put in what you feel is suitable or get a small bunch of flowers yourself. It's the thought that counts not monetary value

londonsurrey

Whatever you like and can afford. If all you can afford is 10p, then give 10p. If what you can afford to do is to help with tidying her garden, then do that.

If giving £20 would stress you financially, then it's silly to do that, and people who think less of you for that are people you should try to distance yourself from anyhow.

elsien

Ditto. I think I'd rather put a token amount in the flowers or get a small bunch of my own then make a donation to the charity of her choice if there is one.
It does bother me to see large amounts spent on flowers that'll be gone in a few days. (Personal opinion, obviously, each to their own.)

Bangton

Ahhh such sad news : (

I'd probably say a fiver...?

looby75

I think I'd rather put in for the group flowers, she hasn't got a lot of family so it would be nice to have a nice arrangement from us all.

I trained as a florist and we used to do a lot of funeral flowers, so I know how much work goes into them and why they are so expensive. I was thinking of putting £10 in even if only half the street put money in we should be able to get something nice. It was my birthday last week and I have a bit of money left over from that so it wouldn't cause me huge financial stress.

pink_princess

Sorry to heat that looby, put in what you can. Or put in three pounds or four and make a charity donation?

Spendless

I'd go for a fiver too if you can afford it. It's a note so looks 'more' than coins do. It's around the starting price of a bunch of (supermarket) flowers and is still a substantial amount to give.

looby75

I wouldn't know which charity to put it in to tbh. She was one of the lucky ones that passed away in her sleep, the neighbour who found her said she looked very peaceful, as though she was just fast asleep.

She was spritely, didn't have any particular health issues, had friends and wasn't lonely or isolated. It would be hard to think of a charity that would be meaningful to her if you see what I mean.

skintchick

Anything from a fiver up, depending on what you can afford. If even four of you give a fiver you'll get a nice bunch of flowers surely.

victory

Yes a fiver seems right