The Flower Press

Over a weekend of remembrance and mourning, friends and family of long-time Fort Collins, Colorado community member, Brian Jasper Hall gathered to honor his life, his many contributions, and his recent passing. Hall, after a lifelong struggle with depression, lost his battle on October 20, 2025 and died by suicide. A memorial gathering was held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 and a Celebration of Life brunch took place the following day. Both events were filled with the outpouring of love, grief and support from hundreds of guests, along with stories, music, food, and flowers. 

The flowers, which were locally purchased and arranged by friends of the family, were spread throughout the venues both days. Photos of Hull and his family were propped against the mason jar vases filled with autumn hued fresh flowers and dried grasses.

Mélina Bernhardt, Hull’s wife of 25 years, and the organizer of both events, is a passionate believer in creative, purposeful reuse and upcycling of materials. Additionally, she is a committed advocate of mental health awareness. With these two concerns in mind, Bernhardt worked with a friend to ensure the flowers went to new recipients following the weekend’s events. Rather than heading to the garbage or compost, the floral arrangements were gathered up, refreshed, rearranged, and then donated to community partners whose work supports suicide prevention.

Giving flowers a meaningful second life through community donation is a growing phenomenon. Around the world community groups are finding new purpose for flowers used in memorials, weddings and special events, choosing to donate rather than discard them after the occasion ends. The trend is part of a broader movement to reduce floral waste, extend the life of perishable blooms and bring comfort to people in hospitals, senior homes and nonprofit programs such as the Alliance For Suicide Prevention of Larimer County.

Kim Moeller, the organization’s Executive Director was excited to receive the donation and help distribute the flowers to the non-profit agencies housed within the United Way Community Impact Center where she works. Moeller sent out a center-wide email offering arrangements to anyone who might need “a little extra joy in their life”- suicide loss survivors, support group members, or the staff and support providers themselves.

Research has long supported the mental health benefits of exposure to flowers. Many organizations including Moeller’s attest to the therapeutic and mood-boosting impact of receiving flowers and are welcoming of donated event florals. “Suicide prevention for us is anything that brings, hope, healing, and joy to the community.” stated Moeller. “For these flowers to go to any of these community partners is suicide prevention.”

 If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support you can call/text/chat the free 24/7, Colorado Mental Health-line at 988 or visit https://allianceforsuicideprevention.org/ to connect to community resources for programs, prevention, and grief support.

If you would like to partner with or support the budding non-profit organization working to repurpose event florals in our NOCO community, please contact Lauren Morgan at lolomorgan@gmail.com.