How to Choose a Thoughtful Sympathy Gift

The grieving process can be as unique as ones finger print. Each person brings to the journey their individual personality, their connection with the person that passed away, their religious/spiritual beliefs, their feelings about death, and their life experiences. When it comes to choosing a thoughtful sympathy gift one size does not fit all.

Finding the perfect sympathy gift to express your deep concern and provide the recipient with a lasting gift that honors the memory of their loved one, is not an easy task but not an impossible one.

As you consider what might be an appropriate sympathy gift for your loved one, here are a few things to consider:

1. What are their religious beliefs? If they are religious, take a few minutes to consider the customs and norms of their religion. Some religions have specific beliefs about giving gifts after the death of a loved one. If they are not religious, be sure to stay away from religious gifts that may offend them. Remember, this is a time to be supportive, not a time to push your own belief system.

Gift Idea: I received a beautiful Angel with a candle that includes Psalm 27: 1 – The Lord is My Light and Salvation. This Angel sits next to my bed and I am reminded that through lives ups and downs I am not alone.

2. What are the circumstances? The cause of death and the significance of the relationship between your friend and the deceased are important factors to consider when choosing a sympathy gift.

Gift Idea: A friend that lost a pet may appreciate a stepping stone with the animal’s name on it to place in their garden. A mother that is grieving the loss of her child may welcome a thoughtful journal and a personalized memory box with the child’s name inscribed. Sending flowers and being a good listener to a husband whose wife has been murdered may be the best way to offer your support.

3. What is their age? A grandmother may want a different type of gift than a friend in her twenties.

Gift Idea: When my mother passed away a good friend of mind gave me a Calvin & Hobbs cartoon book. Life was so heavy at the time that having something that made me laugh was just what I needed. I was 25 when my passed away and for me it was the perfect gift.

4. What is their gender? Gender plays a big part in the type of gift that is appropriate. A male friend may enjoy a round of golf with you much more than a candle or a piece of jewelry.

5. What do they enjoy? Try to find activities that bring them joy and help them reconnect with life. A relaxing day at a spa, an enjoyable afternoon at a baseball game, or a nice afternoon tea, are just a few gifts that you can share with your loved one.

Gift Idea: A few weeks after my mom passed away, my friends took me on a trip to Disneyland. What a wonderful gift this was to help bring joy back into my life.

6. Do they have any allergies or food restrictions? When choosing a food gift basket or if bringing food to the family, be sure to check to see if they have any food allergies or are on a restrictive diet. You don’t want to buy a bottle of wine for someone that does not drink. Or bring peanut butter cookies to someone that is allergic to peanuts.

Gift Idea: Don’t have time to cook, Sympathy Food can provide a complete nutritious meal to a grieving family.

7. Do they have pictures in their home or scrapbooks? If your friend enjoys displaying memories in their home, a personalized picture frame or a decorative scrapbook that they can keep mementos in may be an appreciate gift.

8. What type book will reach them? If choosing a book, consider the stage of grief your friend is in. The first few months after a loss can be extremely difficult and it may be difficult to concentrate. Books that are easy to digest and provide coping skills by people in similar situations may be best.

Gift Idea: I received a very meaningful, yet simple book after my mother passed called “How to Survive the Loss of a Love”.

9. Think outside the box. Gifts don’t need to be traditional; they can be as unique as your imagination.

Gift Idea: When my friend Dan passed away I could not afford the last minute airfare to attend the funeral. A friend of mind paid for my ticket using his frequent flyer miles.

10. Offer your support. Some people don’t need or want trinkets, books or movies; they just want a friend that will be there with a listening ear, a hug, and a warm heart.

Buying a special gift basket, inspirational book, customized picture frame, memorial ornament, or sending flowers to a grieving loved one can brighten their day and lift their spirits during a difficult time.

For more Thoughtful Gift ideas, visit our website at www.ididnotknowwhattosay.com/gifts.html

© 2011 Lori Pederson
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Lori Pederson, Founder of I Did Not Know What To Say, a website created to inspire and to provide you with tools to assist a love one through the grieving process. If you would like our free newsletter on how to assist your friends and family members through the journey of restoring balance in their life after the death of a love one, please visit our website at http://www.ididnotknowwhattosay.com.

Thoughtful Sympathy Gift Ideas – Sympathy Food

We are very pleased to announce the addition of Sympathy Food to our Thoughtful Gift Ideas page on our website at http://www.ididnotknowwhattosay.com/gifts-giftbaskets.html.

Whether you are far away and not able to provide a home cooked meal or life’s hectic schedule does not allow you to cook a full meal, Sympathy Food offers a unique way to provide a nutrition meal to friends and family that are grieving the loss of a loved one.

About Sympathy Food

1. What inspired you to start the Sympathy Food business?

I was sitting in my office at my funeral home one day working on some improvements to my funeral home website. I thought about adding an option where people could order flowers directly from my website. I knew how flowers were the “traditional” sympathy gift but I also knew a lot of people’s frustration with flowers as a less than practical gift. Gifts of comfort food have always been a welcome, nourishing way of letting someone know that “you care” when a death has occurred.

2. What makes Sympathy Food different from sending a food basket?

Sympathy Food sends fully prepared meals that feed a minimum of six people. Fruit or other sympathy baskets are nice but are mostly snack foods.

3. What is unique about Sympathy Food?

We are the first and only online, prepared-foods company that specializes in the sympathy gift market.

4. What do you consider to be your specialty?

We are not a gourmet food site.  We take pride in offering great tasting and nourishing comfort food. A complete meal for the whole family to enjoy.

5. Are you able to provide food for individuals that may be on a special diet or have food allergies?

WE do have some food options that are geared toward vegetarian diets and we are working now on other dietary dishes.

6. How long has Sympathy Food been in business?

I conceived the idea in late 2006 and began work. We started a test market (east of the Mississippi) in January of 2008 and went nationwide in late 2009.

7. Where can Sympathy Food deliver?

Currently we deliver anywhere in the continental United States 1-3 days ground shipment.

8. How do you guarantee that clients receive what they have ordered?

After an order is placed, we personally contact the recipient by phone, let them know that a gift of comfort food has been sent to them and read them the card. We also give them the option of receiving the food as soon a possible or we can delay shipment until a time that suits them better.

9. What would you like our readers to know about your company?

We are an e-commerce site that was created to fill a niche that wasn’t currently being addressed. Flowers are beautiful, but they can be very expensive and are usually taken to the cemetery to wither and die. Families usually always come together during the “many sympathetic moments of life” and usually share a meal. Now there is a gift that lets them know they are in your thoughts and actually meets a need.

You can find Sympathy Food on our Thoughtful Gifts page – http://www.ididnotknowwhattosay.com/gifts-giftbaskets.html

For more gift ideas, please visit our Thoughtful Gifts page on our website at www.ididnotknowwhattosay.com/gifts.html