How do I press flowers from a funeral to preserve them?
The Short Answer
Pressing flattens and preserves flowers for framing, cards, or keepsakes. Place blooms between parchment inside a heavy book or a flower press, leave them undisturbed for two to four weeks, and choose flat-faced flowers like daisies, pansies, and single petals for the best results.
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Which flowers press best
Pressing works best with naturally flat or thin flowers, since bulky blooms trap moisture and can brown or mold. Daisies, pansies, cosmos, single-petal roses, and individual petals or leaves press cleanly. Thicker flowers like full roses or carnations can be pressed if you separate the petals and press them individually, then reassemble later. If you received a funeral bouquet you want to preserve, choose a few of the flattest, freshest blooms right away. Pressing captures color and detail in a form you can frame or tuck into a keepsake book.
The pressing process
Lay each flower face down on a sheet of parchment or plain paper, cover with another sheet, and place it inside a thick, heavy book, or use a dedicated flower press if you have one. Stack more weight on top. Change the paper after a few days to wick away moisture, which prevents browning. Leave the flowers undisturbed for two to four weeks until they are papery and fully dry. Patience is everything here, opening too soon leaves them limp. Slower drying preserves the truest color.
Turning pressed flowers into keepsakes
Once pressed, flowers become wonderfully versatile. Families frame them with the funeral card or a handwritten note, laminate them into bookmarks, or arrange them under glass in a shadow box beside a photo. A pressed bloom tucked into a Bible or a memory journal becomes a quiet touchstone to revisit on hard days. Because pressed flowers are delicate and fade in sunlight, keep finished pieces out of direct light. If the idea appeals but the timing feels overwhelming, set the flowers aside to dry and come back to the project when you are ready.
Planning Tips From Our Designers
- Choose flat-faced flowers like daisies, pansies, and single petals.
- Press thick blooms as separated petals, then reassemble.
- Change the paper every few days to prevent browning.
- Leave pressing undisturbed for two to four weeks.
- Keep finished pressed pieces out of direct sunlight.
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