Something instead of flowers for a funeral for a man?

MrsE_2

The title says it all really.

An elderly man I knew well has died.

Flowers seem a bit pansyish for him, can anyone think of something instead of flowers for a funeral for a man?

He was an old navy man (served in WW2), he liked Guinness, Whiskey neat, Vodka & slimline tonic & Cigars (especially Cigars) - the fatter the better.

Very intelligant man, he did the times crossword, I find it impossible. He taught me lots of meanings behind old sayings.

Did you know POSH comes from the best view cabins for a sea voyage? Portside Out, Starboard Home, POSH. The wealthy people booked these "posh" cabins.

Upper crust is from when bread was baked in big communal ovens full of ash in olden times.
The upper portion of the bread was for the rich people, the "upper crust" & the poor people got the blackened bread portion that was in the ashes.

Hes being cremated, so I can't put some nice cigars in his coffin for him.
I know the charity thing is nice, but I don't want to turn up empty handed.

Flowers are welcome, but just incase anyone can think of anything more suited for an old navy man, (a very special old man).

Fleago

I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs E.


I think even an old navy man would appreciate flowers. Have a looky here at the meanings of flowers ands scroll down to roses (long stemmed). I think they'd be perfect, especially if you chose appropriate colours, acording to the meanings.

Errata

How about a small wreath made out of laurel leaves with a band of ribbon slantwise across it in RN colours ?

MrsE_2

Errata wrote: »

How about a small wreath made out of laurel leaves with a band of ribbon slantwise across it in RN colours ?

Don't mean to appear thick, but do laurel leaves have any significance or are they just nice on wreaths.

Don't have a clue about RN colours, is it red/white & blue?

He also had Irish in his family, but shamrock is too whispey for wreaths.

Your idea sounds good, thank you.

I bet I could get something like this made up at the florist if I knew what to ask for.

Jennifer_Jane

I am sorry to hear about your loss - it sounds like he had a great impact on you and that you held each other in great affection. I like Errata's idea of the wreath with the RN colours. I just wanted to mention in addition, that I am sure he would also like to have the Naval hymn 'For those in peril on the sea' at his funeral (Not that people know it these days!). I chose this for my mother's funeral - after all she was also 'in the Navy' as were us children, weren't we!

He sounds like a great friend to have had, and I am sure you will treasure your memories of him.

Jen
x

Errata

Red white and blue should do it. Laurel leaves are used in traditiional armed services wreaths.

MrsE_2

Errata wrote: »

Red white and blue should do it. Laurel leaves are used in traditiional armed services wreaths.

Are they the ones in the poppy wreaths?

Thank you, great idea.

Much more him that floral flowers.

Crispy_Ambulance

Or you could make a donation to a charity he would have supported instead?

MrsE_2

Crispy_Ambulance wrote: »

Or you could make a donation to a charity he would have supported instead?

I want to bring something for him.

Crispy_Ambulance

It's up to you, of course, but a nice card says just as much a floral tribute and if you make a donation, your money goes to a good cause and not a florist.

You know the person you've lost better than any of us - I guess you'll have a much better idea of what they would have wanted. But flowers can be "manly".

ooobedoo

I don't know if this helps, but when DH's grandad died, we had an anchor(killick) made atthe flower shop, it was very apt.