When tragedy and sadness strike someone you know, everyone wants to help by providing care and gifts for a grieving family. Frozen lasagna and homemade cookies are great, but what happens after the meals are eaten? Where can someone in distress turn when everyone goes back to their daily lives? If you see a friend hurting, and you want to let them know you care, above and beyond treats and time, maybe gifting them something special is the perfect solution.
We’ve got a list of what to send when someone dies instead of flowers. Check out these simple, but sure-to-please gifts for a grieving family, colleague, friend, or relative, and let them know you truly are thinking about them. These condolence gifts and memorable gifts for someone who passed away can truly help sustain the relationship that they’ve lost and give them some comfort, even if it’s little, to get through the harder times.
What is Grief?
Grief is a natural reaction to loss. It is a normal human emotion that everyone experiences differently. While each individual experiences grief in their own unique way, there are some common signs that include sadness, denial, guilt, isolation, anxiety, anger, and physical pain.
It is important to recognize when grief is affecting your life and to find a way to cope with it, either on your own or with the help of others. Grief can be a difficult emotion to understand and process, but it can also help us appreciate our loved ones and better accept changes in our lives.
When a friend is grieving, their outward behavior may be difficult to recognize. Most often, it can look like a changed attitude toward the things they used to enjoy. They may be less communicative, often because they don’t want to burden others with their grief, or they may be in a state of shock, unable to comprehend the emotions they are feeling. They may also be physically tired or emotionally drained and may have difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
READ MORE: How to Talk To Your Children About Death
It can be difficult to identify a friend in grief as they may put on a brave face and act as though they are okay, but look out for subtle signs like quietness or sudden outbursts of crying that indicate they are struggling. If you are concerned about a friend, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask how they are doing.
Why Is It Important to Support Someone Through Grief?
Having a friend or family member going through grief can be a difficult and painful experience, both for them and for those around them. It is important to support them through the grieving process in order to help them cope with their loss and find the strength to move forward. Showing compassion, being open to conversation, and providing practical help are all important ways to support a friend or family member going through grief. And yes, buying gifts for a grieving family can also be a way to help them process this hard time.
READ MORE: How To Help A Grieving Friend
Letting them know you are there for them, listening without judgment, and doing your best to understand their needs can be incredibly meaningful and reassuring. Ultimately, it is important to support a friend or family member going through grief to show that you care and to help them on their journey of healing.
6 Gifts For A Grieving Family
During times of grief, showing support for a loved one can be difficult. While emotional support is important, giving physical gifts can be a great way to show your care. Physical gifts can be a tangible symbol of your love and support, allowing them to cherish and hold onto something meaningful.
Additionally, physical gifts can be a great distraction from the tragedy, providing a sense of comfort and peace. It can also help them to feel more connected to those that care about them, reminding them that they are not alone. By giving a physical gift to a grieving loved one, you can show your support and love in a meaningful and heartfelt way.
1. Comfort Candle
The 5″ round Comfort Candle consists of a unique terra cotta candle holder with a copper lid. This simple gift will bring remembrance, beauty, and comfort to someone who is grieving. Available with a variety of messages, words, and inspirational quotes on the outside, the inner tea light can be replaced as often as necessary. The candle comes packaged in a loving “ready to gift” box and is built sturdy and strong, much like the love that still exists for the person who is deeply missed.
WHY IS THIS A GREAT GIFT: Because there are a variety of inscriptions available, there are endless options to allow you to find the perfect one for the person on your mind. In addition, it is an affordable way to show someone you care while giving them a keepsake that they can truly use for many years. This is a great gift for grieving male friends or family members.
READ MORE: 5 Things a New Mom Needs That are Helpful and Unique
HOW TO USE: Light the candle and place it on the family buffet during holidays, family reunions, birthday parties, and more. A simple but subtle look at the flicker of the flame will warm the hearts of those feeling like the right people aren’t in attendance.
2. Angel Catcher Journal
The Angel Catcher Journal is an easy-to-use, self-paced journal filled with prompts, letter starters, and inspirational quotes. In the past decade, it has helped thousands find meaningful ways to overcome the despair of losing a loved one. This is a journal for all ages, for all losses, and for all denominations of faith including those without a religious genre. There is also a kids’ version that is specific to young children dealing with heartache and loss.
WHY IS THIS A GREAT GIFT: This journal is more than meets the eye. Because of its self-guided prompts, it takes the work away from the brokenhearted. It also lends itself to a lot of “flipping for the right page” as opposed to following a linear pattern. The Angel Catcher truly lets you reflect and journal at your own pace, letting your emotions steer the wheel. Additionally, this is a great journal even for the person who doesn’t typically like to write their thoughts down.
READ MORE: Suicide In Children: 3 Things You Definitely Need To Know
HOW TO USE: Flip. Read. Reflect. Write. Repeat. The grieving can allow their in-the-moment thoughts to guide the page they turn to. There are no rules, no rights or wrongs, just a guide to allow you the freedom of exploring your inner thoughts and feelings.
3. Thumbies Fingerprint Charm
Each and every person on earth has a unique fingerprint. Much like a snowflake, no two are alike. These timeless gifts for a grieving family will allow them to feel the presence of their loved ones. The Thumbies personalized print charm uses actual fingerprints, hand prints, or footprints and can adorn a necklace, key chain, ring, or charm bracelet. Coming in a variety of sizes, you can choose the right size and jeweled accessories to fit your needs. Additionally, a sentiment can be added to the back to further memorialize and add personalization.
WHY IS THIS A GREAT GIFT: The intimacy of a thumbprint is a powerful reminder of the person that is missed. Touching the print is like holding hands with an alternate universe.
HOW TO USE: Wear with pride, touch when necessary, hold onto often, and sob hysterically as needed. This gift will bring a barrage of emotions.
WHERE TO PURCHASE: This particular gift is one that you need to be mindful of early on. You will need to be in touch with the funeral director in order to get the thumbprint needed. Before backing out because this seems like too much work, know that it is absolutely attainable as long as you are willing to put a little stealth secrecy into your week. A phone call to the funeral director will get you started. Most after-life care facilities are already aware of the Thumbprint Necklace, but an online form with pertinent information can be found at the Meadow Hill Corporation website and can guide the process.
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4. Personalized “Writing” Jewelry
Nothing is more personal than someone’s handwriting; how a person signs their name, the special words or nicknames they have for a loved one, or a favorite phrase that someone longs to hear. Now imagine opening a box that contains a piece of jewelry with just THAT. With these special gifts for a grieving family comes a daily love note from the grave, a chance to feel the power of words and the significance of unique handwriting that is specific to someone that is loved.
READ MORE: Exploration of Grief Therapy
WHY IS THIS A GREAT GIFT: Much like the Thumbie jewel, this is a gift of extreme closeness. A gift with this much personalization allows a friend or family member to have a daily remembrance of the person they are missing most.
HOW TO USE: The grieving can wrap their hearts around a special message from a special person. They can also wrap their hands around the actual handwriting of their dearly departed.
WHERE TO PURCHASE: Depending on your relationship with the person you are wishing to gift this to, some level of sneakiness will need to exist in order to get your hands on a handwritten memory. This is something you would need to attain on your own before heading over to Etsy to check out designs by Caitlyn Minimalist or Vintage Branding Company.
5. Weighted Memory Bear
This gift is specific to newborn and/or child loss. These bears are unique and special gifts for a grieving family because they are filled with sand to the exact weight of the child that was lost. While these bears would never come close to replacing the child that a family is grieving, holding the physical weight of that child is a special thing that can bring closeness to a world filled with emptiness.
WHY IS THIS A GREAT GIFT: To a parent that can no longer hold the child they long for, what a special gift to replicate the exact size of their little one. To siblings that are still grappling with the understanding of this loss, there is now a physical and tangible item to touch, hold, kiss, snuggle, sleep with, and love.
READ MORE: 5+ Tips On How To Be A Strong Support System For A Friend During A Tragedy
HOW TO USE: This bear could be cuddled in the darkest hours, held in family photos moving forward, and proudly displayed in a favorite area of the house or bedroom. The possibilities and appreciation are endless, to the end of the world and back.
WHERE TO PURCHASE: There are a few options online at Etsy to order these weighted bears, but No Foot Print Too Small is a non-profit organization created by a family who wanted an opportunity to give back and help families with empty arms. These bears are 100% made with love and are only made by donations.
6. Clothing Bear
It is incredible what the sight of a certain pattern or print can do to cause a nostalgic memory. What if such a print could replicate feelings of closeness? It can, with a teddy bear made out of the clothes that a departed loved one used to wear. You pick the prints and a designer will create an ever-lasting gift.
READ MORE: Reconciling the Past and the Present: Remembering a Loved One With Your Child
WHY IS THIS A GREAT GIFT: These are great gifts for a grieving family member because it gives you the ability to tangibly touch something that was once touched by someone who is no longer here. There is a deep connection with knowing a teddy bear in one’s home is made out of the clothing that was worn by someone who is loved.
HOW TO USE: This gift is great because whether you decide to sleep with it, place it on a shelf, or display it in a case, you can have a daily visual of a loved one. Adults and children alike will appreciate this token of closeness.
Other Ways To Show Support
Thoughtful and well-chosen gifts for a grieving family can be a powerful symbol of your support and empathy. But when someone close to us is going through grief, it can be difficult to know what type of gift to give. Some people prefer to receive physical gifts, but others prefer heartfelt notes letting them know they are in our thoughts.
Smaller, more personalized gifts that come from the heart are certainly something to consider. A personalized photo album, a framed poem or quote, or a digital frame filled with memories of the person they’ve lost are all great ideas. A book of condolence, meaningful homemade jewelry, or a custom-made memorial piece are also meaningful ways to express your love and care.
Gift cards can be nice so they can get out and purchase something that brings them joy, especially if they enjoy shopping. A favorite indulgence or something to pamper the recipient may also be appropriate. Ultimately, some of the best gifts for a grieving family may be simple acts of kindness, such as taking them out for lunch, a kind gesture like bringing them a meal, or even just sitting with them and keeping them company.
It’s also important to recognize that everyone grieves differently and to be respectful of their journey. Sometimes, the best gift you can give is your presence and willingness to just listen.
When it comes to grieving, it is a rollercoaster. There are days when no gifts for a grieving family on the planet can help heal the heart. There are other days when gifts like these will be clung to, cried over, and held tightly. When it comes to watching someone you care about go through unimaginable pain and turmoil, rest assured that your friend will know these outside-the-box gifts for a grieving family were lovingly chosen with care.
Wrap them in hugs, bring them frozen food or freshly baked items, find the perfect personalized gift, and call and text them often. Most importantly, be present in their lives. Don’t ask what you can do to help, take it upon yourself to just DO something. These 6 heartwarming gifts for a grieving family are a wonderful start to put a sentimental spark back into the lives of those who have lost tremendously.
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Photo credits: Mojitos & Munchkins, Molly Bears
