This is a common question, and there isn’t a definitive answer. However, here are a few points to consider:
- What was your relationship with the deceased? Was it a coworker or a dear close relative? This will determine whether the text on the ribbon should be more formal or personal and heartfelt.
- How many names do you want to include? If it’s a more formal wreath (from an organization, etc.), you might write the deceased’s full name (e.g., In memory of a dear friend and colleague Mati Lepp, remembered by colleagues from company XX). Otherwise, just the first name or even no names at all might suffice (e.g., Mourning a dear father, his children with their families). If the bouquet/wreath is from a larger group, try to find a common identifier (friends, former classmates, etc.), as fitting 10 names on a ribbon is quite difficult. Sometimes people ask if they can include the deceased’s nickname. Why not, if everyone close to them knew the person by that name? Sometimes, people don’t even remember the real name.
- A funeral ribbon is not the place for a long tribute. The less text, the more visually appealing the ribbon will be. It’s completely understandable to want to write beautiful lines of poetry for a loved one, but the space on the ribbon is limited. If the text exceeds two lines, it can become hard to read.
- “Remembered” or “Mourned”? Nowadays, this distinction is not as important. However, older people still respect the tradition where close relatives “mourn” while friends and acquaintances “remember.”
- The color of the ribbon – the most traditional is still white with black text. However, I always encourage using other colors, especially if the wreath is colorful. A funeral is a sad event, but flowers can bring beauty and color. Funeral flowers are a final gift to a loved one, so they should reflect the person rather than strict traditions.
In conclusion – there are no strict rules about the text on a ribbon. What matters is what you feel and deem appropriate. And if we think something is truly out of place (even in terms of spelling), we will always contact the client to clarify. Examples of ribbon texts can be found in our online store when browsing wreaths and bouquets. The prices of the arrangements in the gallery do not include the cost of the ribbon and writing, so these must be added separately to the shopping cart (available on the same page).