5 Thoughtful Sympathy Gifts for a Grieving Friend
Death is never easy, and the process of grieving can be incredibly difficult. If you have a friend who has recently lost a loved one, it can be tough to know exactly what to do or say to give them some comfort. However, sometimes, even if you don’t say a word, just showing that you’re there can already mean so much.
Giving your friend a condolence gift can do precisely that. Sympathy gifts for a grieving friend can show your support and let your friend know you are there for them. Here are some ideas for thoughtful gifts that will help your friend in their time of need.
Being There for a Friend Who's Grieving
The bereaved experience various emotions, and it’s essential to understand that there’s no set way or time a person goes through this grief. In some cases, the bereaved isolate themselves, so it’s best to offer them support as a friend to show them that they’re not alone in their grief.
It might be a daunting task to reach out to them, especially since it’s not easy to say the right words. However, you don’t necessarily have to give advice or say something meaningful - sometimes, all they need is to know that someone is right there for them. It won’t speed up the grieving process, but it will definitely help them cope with the pain they’re feeling.
Bereavement Gifts: How to Choose the Right One
One of the ways you can express this is by giving bereavement gifts. These can help your friend know you’ve got their back and are thinking of them.
Now, you might be thinking, “what is an appropriate sympathy gift?” It all depends on your friend and their situation. For example, usually, people give flowers to the bereaved, but if your friend’s religion doesn’t observe this practice, you should steer clear of giving this gift. In Jewish funerals, for example, sending flowers is highly discouraged.
It also depends on what you think your friend might need the most. There are various types of memorial gifts for someone who lost a loved one. You might consider giving them practical gifts, for example, if they’re the type of person you think would benefit the most from receiving supplies that can help them go through their daily routine. On the other hand, if your friend appreciates sentimental objects that can help cherish their loved one’s memories, you can choose personalized items or mementos.
Whatever you choose, as long as it’s appropriate and expresses how much you care for your friend, they will surely appreciate these gifts.
Sympathy Gift Ideas for a Grieving Friend
With that, here’s a list of some heartfelt gifts you could consider:
Practical Care Package
One of the practical gifts that you can give your friend is a care package. This helpful gift can contain the essentials that your friend might need in this time of grieving, including tissues, towels, ready-to-eat snacks, or small containers. It might seem simple, but it’s a valuable gift for someone who might not be able to do their groceries while grieving.
You can find some care packages in online shops, but you can make this more personal by handpicking the things your friend would love. You can also write your personal message through a note that you can stick to your package.
Box of Baked Goods
If your friend loves sweets or treats, you can give them a box of baked goods. Like the idea of giving homemade meals, this friend gift can help the bereaved grab something to eat quickly. You can get a box of cookies, muffins, or an assortment of different treats and attach a handwritten note outside the box to express your sympathy. If you have the time, you can also make this more personal by baking the goods yourself.
Succulents
A classic gift that people give includes sympathy flowers; as long as you’ve considered its appropriateness, it’s perfectly fine. However, maybe you’re thinking of what to send when someone dies instead of flowers but would live something similar. In that case, you could consider giving your friend some succulents.
These plants send your sweet message indirectly and would last long. Also, since they’re low maintenance, your friend won’t have to spend more energy trying to take care of them.
Hand-drawn Portrait
If your friend lost someone close to them, like a best friend or family member, you could also give them a memento. One of the most touching gifts can be a hand-drawn portrait to keep the recently deceased in your friend’s memory alive. You could make it yourself or find artists to create one for you. The Memorialize Art team could help you complete this perfect gift.
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Personalized Journal
Lastly, you can give your friend a journal that could help them express their emotions. You can personalize this gift by having their loved one’s name on the cover, their favorite quote, or artwork that your friend could associate with the deceased.
Final thoughts
Grieving alone is difficult enough, but grieving alone makes it much harder. Whether your friend’s loved one is someone you’re personally close to or not, letting them know they don’t have to deal with this grief alone would mean so much to them. You could choose one of the sympathy gifts mentioned earlier and let your friend know you’re right there for them during this difficult time.
