We need to stop the culture of "floral tributes"

[MangoMangoMango]

Just watching the news about the horrific murder of the girl in Boston. Woman being interviewed in front of a mass of tributes - flowers, teddies, balloons. At least 30 feet across, filling the pavement.

I totally get that locals who are shocked and upset by the news want to demonstrate that in some way. But flowers wrapped in plastic and helium balloons are just litter. In a few days someone will have the job of clearing it all up and binning it. Such a waste of money and resources.

We need to move the culture away from this - but into what. I'm not sure.

I agree. What waste. It's all essentially litter. But people know this - not sure why they insist on doing it!

It really bothers me too OP. People don’t even take the flowers out the cellophane. I think back to when Diana died and Kensington Palace had thousands of rotting flowers that had to be cleared.

Its awful that people ever have a reason to leave a tribute in the first place, obviously, but I do think these should be banned as they inevitably cause more problems than they solve.

I agree too. It's just cheap tat really isn't it.
People aren't religious these days, but they still like creating shrines. I don't get it.
Much better if that money was given to charity in the girl's memory.

All that money spent on flowers and tat could have done so much good in the local community.

I agree.
But I do not like when people release a helium ballon ‘up to heaven’ for their dead relative, or those lanterns that are lit.

Donations to community groups would be the answer. But if your nine year old was murdered, you wouldn't be in the headspace to ask for that. I do wish the balloon releases would stop.

That's it. Anyone who suffers this sort of event isn't in the place to say "please don;t". And I dont think the public would be happy with doing something like a charity donation which isn't visible.

I agree. It’s the same with releasing balloons in the air because it was made trendy on Instagram.

I am going to disagree here. Yes it's an economic and environmental waste. But I think gestures and demonstrations of affection or sympathy are important, and flowers provide a wonderful way to do that. And I am sure the family of the girl who died will appreciate such a tangible sign of support. Cellophane wrap, teddy bears and helium balloons aren't my sort of thing but each one represents solidarity which is a huge comfort to people in the face of a tragedy like this. I think perhaps bringing a single flower would work as well though.

A child has been stabbed and you’re worried about a few quid being wasted?

I don’t agree that the culture needs to move away from floral tributes. The are a nice thing that can provide a focal point for people that need it at a shocking and difficult time.. The last big display I saw was for Prince Philip when he died and it was lovely to read peoples thoughts and messages.

We could encourage people to be more mindful about what they leave, instead of encouraging them not to leave anything. It would make a difference if people just removed flowers from their packaging before placing them.

Helium balloons are different though and balloon releases should be made illegal. They are an awful, selfish way to remember someone.

I also disagree. People directly or indirectly affected in the community need an outlet. Death isn’t tidy, economical and controllable.

Possibly the wrap/balloons could be swapped for more environmentally friendly items but fundamentally the gestures are of sympathy and togetherness so shouldn’t be discouraged.

I agree about the helium balloons. And yes, take the plastic wrap off the flowers! But perhaps seeing the mountain of flowers is comforting in some way to the family (or will be in future).

Maybe if flowers came in biodegradable recycled paper rather than cellophane, all of the time. It would be a start.

I don't mind the flowers-sans plastic-but the teddies and balloons are silly.

I remember when Princess Diana died, a Dutch colleague was very surprised that people left flowers still wrapped in the cellophane. The discussion ensued that the British view the nice wrapping as part of the present, whereas the Dutch didn't.

Making a donation is a nice thing to do, but it doesn't have the visual impact or emotional connection that leaving flowers does.

I do see your point and I agree that it would be good to take plastic wraps off etc.

But I do think that the urge to do something physical/visible is natural and not necessarily done just to be able to show others that you've done 'something'.

Someone mentioned upthread about how it's curious that non-religious people essentially create shrines in these events - that's interesting. I suppose then, that the urge to create shrines exists in religion because of this human tendency, rather than religion causing the shrine-building. I don't know. Perhaps there's some anthropologist on here that knows about this

I agree that helium balloons are naff and terrible for the environment, though.

Such a waste of money and resources.

People can waste their own money how the see fit.
You view it as a waste of money, others view it as a token gesture of support and solidarity.

I’m sure the parents of the 9 year old stabbed to death probably find a glimmer of comfort in the community coming out to support them in their grief.

Humans are ritualistic beings and marking an important event in a tangible way is important in all cultures across the globe.

Many also find comfort in floral tributes a long time after the event of a passing and this is seen in cultures where it is common to tend to the graves of loved ones.

Flowers don’t need to be sold in a plastic wrap but that is a separate issue.

We need to stop the culture of "floral tributes"
Totally disagree.

This very easy to get degradable stuff - flowers should be banned from being wrapped in plastic at the shop source

It's the fact that flowers are always sold wrapped in cellophane that's the issue, not the flowers themselves.

Any "waste" of money is someone's living.

I do think that it seems mad that flowers are still sold in plastic tbh. Surely someone can come up with some way to improve on this!

Silvercurtains · Today 08:41
I agree. It’s the same with releasing balloons in the air because it was made trendy on Instagram.

Its not a dad from Instagram.
People have always done it as long as balloons have existed.

They should start selling flowers wrapped in paper rather than cellophane as a matter of course. Not just for this reason, but for every bunch of flowers which comes with a huge swathe of pointless plastic.

*fad

How unpleasant.

People need to feel they are supporting people, and this is how it is traditionally done. When my dm died l found great comfort in all the flowers.

A9 year old girl has been murdered, her parents are probably destroyed, and people are bleating about plastic and teddies. 🙄