When someone passes away our hearts go out to their loved ones. We want to do something to help and to offer a token that shows we are thinking of them during their grief. Finding the right sympathy gifts to express our feelings can be difficult. There are tried and true options that are safe bets as well as some less common options that will offer comfort long after the funeral.
To help you choose a sympathy gift that will be personal and much appreciated, we have compiled a list of our 12 favorite options for comfort gifting.
12 Unique and Thoughtful Sympathy Gifts
FOOD
There are many ways to provide the gift of food to someone going through a difficult time. One popular way is to provide a meal that you prepare in your home. Our website is a good place to find some of the most popular make-ahead foods that are appropriate for a sympathy meal. Gift cards to local restaurants can also offer a nice reprieve from cooking. (See our Funeral Food recipes)
CUSTOM T-SHIRT QUILT
What could be better than having a keepsake quilt that incorporates cherished clothing items from a loved one? We don’t recommend that you remove the clothing from the home on your own. Instead, consider giving someone a gift card for a custom quilt that is made of t-shirts or other clothing items. When the time is right, they can choose the items they would most like to preserve.
WIND CHIMES
Did you know there are many beautiful options for custom memorial wind chimes? A chime is a thoughtful gift that captures musical memories all year long. Custom wind chimes are the perfect addition to a patio or garden. As a gentle breeze works to create music, memories of a loved one will be brought to mind. Adding personalization to your wind chime makes it a truly one-of-a-kind gift.
GIFT BASKETS
Gift baskets come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you send a basket of non-perishable food items or a collection of spa treatment products, a gift basket can be a practical and thoughtful gift to show that you are thinking of someone experiencing a loss.
MEMORY LAMPS
Memory lamps are designed with the tradition of keeping a light burning for a loved one who is no longer with us in mind. There are many beautiful designs available. Memory lamps are available in both candle and electric versions, some with a compartment for cremated remains. (See Our Selection of Memorial Tea Lights)
MEMORY TREES
Planting a tree in a loved one’s honor is a great way to create a lasting memory. A tree is a particularly thoughtful way to remember someone who appreciated nature and the environment. Trees that are to be planted in the ground are available with the growing zone in mind. Small bonsai style tabletop trees are also available. (See Our Memorial Trees)
FLOWERS
Flowers are almost always an appropriate and appreciated gesture of sympathy. With so many varieties, colors, and styles available, you are sure to find something that provides a unique and special tribute to a life well-lived. (More About Funeral Flowers)
MEMORIAL JEWELRY
When it comes to memorial jewelry there is truly something for everyone. From a tender bracelet paying tribute to Mom to a key chain to memorialize Dad, you are sure to find the perfect way to keep your memories close. Jewelry is also a popular way to commemorate a beloved pet. If you like, you can even find jewelry which allows you to keep a small amount of cremated remains with you. (See Our Memorial Jewelry)
MEMORIAL GARDEN STONES & BRICKS
Most popular for bringing comfort to someone who has lost a pet, garden stones and bricks can add a lovely accent to a special garden spot created in memory of a loved one. Stones and bricks are a wonderful way to commemorate both humans and pets. These custom items are created to your specifications and with your message become a one of a kind remembrance. (See our collection of Outddor Memorials.)
CUSTOM ARTWORK
Whether you are honoring a person or a pet, custom artwork can be the perfect way to memorialize a life well lived. There are a variety of artists from whom you can commission a piece. Just supply them a photograph and they'll create a masterpiece for you to share. One vendor we recommend for unique and beautiful black and white renderings is Charcoal and Pencil.
HAND BLOWN GLASS
For a truly one-of-a-kind sympathy gift for yourself or a loved one, handblown glass is the perfect option. You can choose your shape, style, and color and the artist will create a unique item that brings to mind the unique spirit of the person you are honoring. For the ultimate in memorialization, include a bit of cremation ash so that your glass work will encapsulate a bit of the deceased. (See one of our favorite custom glass memorials in the Funeralwise Store.)
TIME
While it can’t be purchased in any store, you can show how much you care by giving the gift of your time. We often ask those who are grieving what we can do to help, but an unsolicited action to help in a time of need is priceless. Whether it is cutting the grass, taking care of children so someone can have an uninterrupted block of time, or handling a chore, giving of yourself is the best gift of all.
FOOD
There are many ways to provide the gift of food to someone going through a difficult time. One popular way is to provide a meal that you prepare in your home. Our website is a good place to find some of the most popular make-ahead foods that are appropriate for a sympathy meal. Gift cards to local restaurants can also offer a nice reprieve from cooking. (See our Funeral Food recipes)
CUSTOM T-SHIRT QUILT
What could be better than having a keepsake quilt that incorporates cherished clothing items from a loved one? We don’t recommend that you remove the clothing from the home on your own. Instead, consider giving someone a gift card for a custom quilt that is made of t-shirts or other clothing items. When the time is right, they can choose the items they would most like to preserve.
WIND CHIMES
Did you know there are many beautiful options for custom memorial wind chimes? A chime is a thoughtful gift that captures musical memories all year long. Custom wind chimes are the perfect addition to a patio or garden. As a gentle breeze works to create music, memories of a loved one will be brought to mind. Adding personalization to your wind chime makes it a truly one-of-a-kind gift.
GIFT BASKETS
Gift baskets come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you send a basket of non-perishable food items or a collection of spa treatment products, a gift basket can be a practical and thoughtful gift to show that you are thinking of someone experiencing a loss.
MEMORY LAMPS
Memory lamps are designed with the tradition of keeping a light burning for a loved one who is no longer with us in mind. There are many beautiful designs available. Memory lamps are available in both candle and electric versions, some with a compartment for cremated remains. (See Our Selection of Memorial Tea Lights)
MEMORY TREES
Planting a tree in a loved one’s honor is a great way to create a lasting memory. A tree is a particularly thoughtful way to remember someone who appreciated nature and the environment. Trees that are to be planted in the ground are available with the growing zone in mind. Small bonsai style tabletop trees are also available. (See Our Memorial Trees)
FLOWERS
Flowers are almost always an appropriate and appreciated gesture of sympathy. With so many varieties, colors, and styles available, you are sure to find something that provides a unique and special tribute to a life well-lived. (More About Funeral Flowers)
MEMORIAL JEWELRY
When it comes to memorial jewelry there is truly something for everyone. From a tender bracelet paying tribute to Mom to a key chain to memorialize Dad, you are sure to find the perfect way to keep your memories close. Jewelry is also a popular way to commemorate a beloved pet. If you like, you can even find jewelry which allows you to keep a small amount of cremated remains with you. (See Our Memorial Jewelry)
MEMORIAL GARDEN STONES & BRICKS
Most popular for bringing comfort to someone who has lost a pet, garden stones and bricks can add a lovely accent to a special garden spot created in memory of a loved one. Stones and bricks are a wonderful way to commemorate both humans and pets. These custom items are created to your specifications and with your message become a one of a kind remembrance. (See our collection of Outddor Memorials.)
CUSTOM ARTWORK
Whether you are honoring a person or a pet, custom artwork can be the perfect way to memorialize a life well lived. There are a variety of artists from whom you can commission a piece. Just supply them a photograph and they'll create a masterpiece for you to share. One vendor we recommend for unique and beautiful black and white renderings is Charcoal and Pencil.
HAND BLOWN GLASS
For a truly one-of-a-kind sympathy gift for yourself or a loved one, handblown glass is the perfect option. You can choose your shape, style, and color and the artist will create a unique item that brings to mind the unique spirit of the person you are honoring. For the ultimate in memorialization, include a bit of cremation ash so that your glass work will encapsulate a bit of the deceased. (See one of our favorite custom glass memorials in the Funeralwise Store.)
TIME
While it can’t be purchased in any store, you can show how much you care by giving the gift of your time. We often ask those who are grieving what we can do to help, but an unsolicited action to help in a time of need is priceless. Whether it is cutting the grass, taking care of children so someone can have an uninterrupted block of time, or handling a chore, giving of yourself is the best gift of all.
Don’t like slideshows? Here’s the full list.
Funeralwise Favorites: Sympathy Gifts
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FOOD
There are many ways to provide the gift of food to someone going through a difficult time. One popular way is to provide a meal that you prepare in your home. Our website is a good place to find some of the most popular make-ahead foods that are appropriate for a sympathy meal. Gift cards to local restaurants can also offer a nice reprieve from cooking. (See our Funeral Food recipes)
-
CUSTOM T-SHIRT QUILT
What could be better than having a keepsake quilt that incorporates cherished clothing items from a loved one? We don’t recommend that you remove the clothing from the home on your own. Instead, consider giving someone a gift card for a custom quilt that is made of t-shirts or other clothing items. When the time is right, they can choose the items they would most like to preserve.
-
WIND CHIMES
Did you know there are many beautiful options for custom memorial wind chimes? A chime is a thoughtful gift that captures musical memories all year long. Custom wind chimes are the perfect addition to a patio or garden. As a gentle breeze works to create music, memories of a loved one will be brought to mind. Adding personalization to your wind chime makes it a truly one-of-a-kind gift.
-
GIFT BASKETS
Gift baskets come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you choose to send a basket of non-perishable food items or a collection of spa treatment products, a gift basket can be a practical and thoughtful gift to show that you are thinking of someone who is experiencing a loss.
-
MEMORY LAMPS
Memory lamps are designed with the tradition of keeping a light burning for a loved one who is no longer with us in mind. There are many beautiful designs available. Memory lamps are available in both candle and electric versions, some with a compartment for cremated remains. (See Our Selection of Memorial Tea Lights)
-
MEMORY TREES
Planting a tree in a loved one’s honor is a great way to create a lasting memory. A tree is a particularly thoughtful way to remember someone who appreciated nature and the environment. Trees that are to be planted in the ground are available with the growing zone in mind. Small bonsai style tabletop trees are also available. (See Our Memorial Trees)
-
FLOWERS
Flowers are almost always an appropriate and appreciated gesture of sympathy. With so many varieties, colors, and styles available, you are sure to find something that provides a unique and special tribute to a life well-lived. (More About Funeral Flowers)
-
MEMORIAL JEWELRY
When it comes to memorial jewelry, there is truly something for everyone. From a tender bracelet paying tribute to Mom to a key chain to memorialize Dad, you are sure to find the perfect way to keep your memories close. Jewelry is also a popular way to commemorate a beloved pet. If you like, you can even find jewelry that allows you to keep a small amount of cremated remains with you. (See Our Memorial Jewelry)
-
MEMORIAL GARDEN STONES
Most popular for bringing comfort to someone who has lost a pet, garden stones and bricks can add a lovely accent to a special garden spot created in memory of a loved one. Stones and bricks are a wonderful way to commemorate both humans and pets. These custom items are created to your specifications and, with your message, become a one-of-a-kind remembrance. (See our selection of outdoor memorials.)
-
CUSTOM ARTWORK
Whether you are honoring a person or a pet, custom artwork can be the perfect way to memorialize a life well lived. There are a variety of artists from whom you can commission a piece. Just supply them with a photograph, and they’ll create a masterpiece for you to share. One vendor we recommend for unique and beautiful black and white renderings is Charcoal and Pencil.
-
HANDBLOWN GLASS
For a truly one-of-a-kind sympathy gift for yourself or a loved one, handblown glass is the perfect option. You can choose your shape, style, and color, and the artist will create a unique item that brings to mind the unique spirit of the person you are honoring. For the ultimate memorialization, include a bit of cremation ash so that your glasswork will encapsulate a bit of the deceased. (See one of our favorite custom glass memorials in the Funeralwise Store.)
-
TIME
While it can’t be purchased in any store, you can show how much you care by giving the gift of your time. We often ask those who are grieving what we can do to help, but an unsolicited action to help in a time of need is priceless. Whether it is cutting the grass, taking care of children so someone can have an uninterrupted block of time, or handling a chore, giving of yourself is the best gift of all.
