Funeral Vase

$15 - $20 (based on 2017 prices)

Makes one vase

The Dia de Los Muertos portion of 2017’s haunted house required dozens of wreaths and flowers for an intricate funeral scene. While many of these props incorporated eerie elements to amplify the haunt’s creepiness, some, like this vase, were simple pieces used to fill space and add bright flowers to highlight the theme’s use of vibrant colors. If you want a scarier version of this prop, consider the suggestions mentioned in step five.

• One twelve-inch glass vase
• Three gnarled tree sticks
• One 10 oz. cans of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in metallic silver
• One 3” x 4” block of floral craft foam
• Artificial flowers in multiple colors and sizes (e.g. irises, lilies, petunias, poppies)

1. On a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, give the vase and sticks an even coat of silver spray paint. I used one coat, but you are free to apply extra coats based on your desired coverage. Although I elected to use silver to give the prop a metallic appearance, you could use other colors to achieve a different look (e.g. flat blacks, grays, and white for a granite). To help the paint adhere to the glass, roughen its surface with sandpaper prior to the painting process.

2. Cut a block of floral craft foam to fit inside the vase. Depending on the depth and width of your chosen container, it might be more beneficial to cut the block in half and stack the pieces to provide needed height for the floral arrangement.

3. Arrange the flowers in the vase. For visual interest, use flowers in varying colors and shapes. Begin with the larger blooms and fill gaps with smaller counterparts. For more permanency, glue the stems to the foam.

4. Complete the arrangement by adding the sticks. You could cluster them together in the center or strategically place them in various spots and at alternating heights.

5. You can enhance the prop’s eerie appearance by adding creepy details: drape Spanish moss on the sticks and the edge of the vase, glue plastic insects to the vase and flowers, or string cobwebs between the sticks.