Artificial Flowers and Cemetery Vases

An arrangement placed on a grave must remain visible from a distance and hold up without watering. This selection brings together artificial flowering stems, foliage and branches, along with the vases that hold them.

A height that stays visible

The stems range from about fifty centimeters to over a meter. The rule is simple: the flower should rise above the vase by about half the vase's height, otherwise the arrangement looks squat. On a low headstone, long foliage such as fern takes the lead; in front of a plaque, shorter stems stay in proportion.

One flower, one foliage, one branch

Arrangements that stand well mix three roles. The flower brings the color, whether a dahlia, carnations or a scabiosa; the foliage fills out and softens, with fern or dusty miller; the branch provides structure, like wild rose or metallic branches. Keep an odd number of stems: the eye reads a bouquet rather than a row.

The vase and the wind

At the cemetery, the wind decides. A low, wide vase with a solid base stays in place where a tall, narrow model tips over. Artificial stems can be shortened or bent to fit the vase's neck. A vase wedged against the headstone or set into the gravel holds better than one simply placed on the slab.

Frequently asked questions

Can they be put in water?

It isn't necessary, and a dry vase is better: no stagnant water in summer, and no frost to crack the vase in winter.

How many stems per vase?

Five or seven stems are enough for a cemetery vase, foliage included. Beyond that, the bouquet closes in and loses its silhouette.

How do I clean them?

Wipe the petals with a slightly damp cloth, then shake the foliage upside down. Dust shows more on darker shades.