ABSTRACT
Proximity carries cultural connotations about the strength or weakness of social relationships, as is evident in the placing of the flowers of the most intimate kin of the divorced Princess upon her coffin and, therefore, in closest proximity to her body. This chapter deals with the use of flowers in the negotiation of the spatial and social distance. Bunches of flowers had been inserted horizontally between the railings creating solid stretches of bright colour, complemented by the paler colours and glistening cellophane of their wrappings. The use of flowers in the movement from virtual to actual mourner is hardly surprising given that flowers have an established use in British funeral ceremonies, are placed on graves and, have been laid at the sites of tragic accidents. A wide range of flowers was used in the bunches, special tributes and labours of love with roses, chrysanthemums, carnations and lilies being very well represented.
