Flower Arrangements

Do you use your own flowers or call a florist? Real VS fake?

So far I have been creating my own fall/early spring artifical arrangements but am anxious to create arrangements using real flowers if our weather here in Niagara Falls/Buffalo NY would start cooperating. Artificial is more practical over real especially watering but you can't beat the real thing for beauty.

This depends, first on the cemetery, and then on the customer. We have many cemeteries who have strict rules. One may want ONLY real flowers and the next may want ONLY fake. I even have some that do not allow decoration at all. When I am free to choose, I use a local greenhouse to buy my flowers. It helps the small business and supplies me with exceptional flowers at a decent price!

Speaking of rules/regualtions do you have your clients sign an agreement regarding the understanding of these rules/regulations, disclaimers, and certain legalities to protect you AND your client. I made up such an agreement which is visible on my website (contact us page) www.neverforgottengravecare.net I would appreciate if you could take a look and see what you think of it. 
Thanks
Jody

I was not able to locate the document you mentioned. However, I do possess such an agreement. I believe it is the smart thing to do as far as covering your own butt so-to-speak! It is my belief that everyone engaging in services of this nature, whether grave tending or landscaping...even interior decorating...should have a signed statement as to what the customer wishes to be done. This saves headache later in the process, should the customer change their mind or deny having asked for the work to be done. This has never happened to me, but it is a safe practice.

Now...(ha ha) having said that, I must admit that I have only used my agreement form once. What good does it do to have a form that you do not use? NONE! I should be using it, absolutely. The customers that I have dealt with, so far, have been easy-going, country folk for the most part. I do send emails back and forth to stay in touch and update them on progress. Within these emails, we discuss what work is to be done and I do keep each and every email so that I may use them for any discrepancies. But in all honesty, I should be using the form EVERY time. I just know that many folks in my area are simple, farming families who would tire of the endless signing of papers that was recommended to me at the start of the business.

Just to be clear, YES, you should be using a form!