Nine Thoughtful Gifts to Support a Grieving Person

Nine Thoughtful Gifts to Support a Grieving Person

When someone you care about is grieving, it can be hard to know how to support them. While words of comfort are valuable, sometimes a tangible gift can provide an added layer of care and connection. The right gift can acknowledge their pain, offer comfort, and remind them they’re not alone. Here are some thoughtful, tangible gifts to give someone who is navigating loss.

Comfort Items

Grief can leave people feeling physically and emotionally drained. Comfort items can help them feel nurtured during this difficult time.

• Soft Blanket or Throw: A cozy, weighted, or fleece blanket can provide warmth and a sense of security. Consider a blanket in their loved one’s favorite color or with a meaningful pattern.

• Heated Neck Wrap or Eye Pillow: These items can offer gentle relief for tension and promote relaxation, which is helpful when grief-related stress takes a toll on the body.

• Comfort Box: Create a personalized comfort box with self-care items like tea, candles, a journal, and a handwritten note.
  

A Basket of Calming Teas with a Thoughtful Mug

A curated basket of calming teas paired with a meaningful or personalized mug can offer moments of comfort and tranquility. Many herbal teas are known for their ability to soothe the body and mind, making them ideal for someone who is grieving or experiencing stress. Consider including a selection of these calming teas:

• Chamomile: Known for its gentle floral flavor, chamomile helps reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and support restful sleep.

• Lavender: With its light, aromatic profile, lavender tea is excellent for calming the nervous system and relieving tension.

• Lemon Balm: This mild, lemon-scented herb helps ease stress, anxiety, and promotes a sense of calm.

• Peppermint: Refreshing and soothing, peppermint tea can help relieve headaches and digestive discomfort that often accompany stress.

• Valerian Root: Often referred to as a natural sleep aid, valerian root helps reduce anxiety and supports deeper rest.

• Passionflower: Known for its calming properties, passionflower helps reduce feelings of worry and overthinking.

• Rooibos: Naturally caffeine-free and rich in antioxidants, rooibos has a smooth, earthy flavor that helps promote relaxation.

• Holy Basil (Tulsi): An adaptogenic herb that helps the body respond to stress, holy basil tea supports mental clarity and emotional balance.

• Ginger and Turmeric Blend: This warming combination reduces inflammation and provides a comforting, grounding sensation.
  

Enhance the Experience

Pair the teas with a mug that offers a comforting message or beautiful design. You might also include a small jar of honey, a tea infuser, and a note expressing your care and support. This thoughtful gift can encourage the grieving person to take gentle moments for themselves and find a sense of peace, even in difficult times.

Books on Grief and Healing

Sometimes reading the right book can provide validation and insight. Choose titles that are compassionate and understanding of the grieving process.

• Grief Support Books: Some popular options include “The Grief Experience: Tools for Acceptance, Resilience and Connection” by Kelly Daugherty, “Resilient Grieving” by Lucy Hone, “What’s Your Grief” by Eleanor Haley and Litsa Williams or books by Dr. Alan Wolfelt.

• Personalized Touch: Pair the book with a heartfelt note, a meaningful bookmark or highlight passages you feel might resonate.
  

Memory Keepsake Gifts

Helping your loved one cherish and honor memories can be incredibly meaningful.

• Customized Memory Box: A beautiful box where they can store photos, letters, or keepsakes of their loved one.

• Memorial Jewelry: Pieces like lockets, engraved bracelets, or necklaces that hold a photo, initial, or meaningful date can be a subtle yet powerful way to feel connected to the deceased.

• Photo Book or Framed Picture: A carefully chosen photo book or framed image that celebrates the life of the person who has passed.

• A Bird Feeder: Many times people feel connected to birds as being a sign that their loved one who has departed is visiting them.
  

Self-Care Gifts

Grieving can deplete a person’s energy, making self-care feel overwhelming. Thoughtful self-care gifts can offer gentle support.

• Aromatherapy: Scents like lavender, sandalwood, or chamomile can help promote calm and relaxation.

• Bath Care Set: Include bath salts, soothing body wash, and a loofah to encourage moments of relaxation.

• Guided Meditation or Relaxation App Subscription: Consider a subscription to apps like Calm or Insight Timer, which offer guided meditations and soothing soundscapes.
  

Practical Support Gifts

Sometimes, the most helpful gifts are ones that address day-to-day needs. Practical support can give a grieving person the space they need to process their emotions.

• Meal Delivery Service: Gift cards for meal delivery services like DoorDash, Grubhub, or HelloFresh can ease the burden of cooking.

• House Cleaning Services: A gift certificate for a cleaning service can help them maintain their space when they don’t have the energy.

• Grocery Delivery: Consider providing a grocery delivery gift card so they can stock up on essentials without leaving the house.
  

Personalized Grief Journals

Journaling can be a helpful tool for processing grief, offering a safe space to express feelings.

• Guided Grief Journal: Some journals offer prompts specifically designed for those coping with loss. Examples include “Grief Day by Day” by Jan Warner or “The Grief Journal” by Rachel Blythe.

• Customized Journal: A simple, beautiful journal with a personalized cover or a thoughtful message inside can encourage them to write and reflect at their own pace.
  

Plants and Flowers

Plants or flowers can serve as a gentle reminder of life and growth, offering a sense of comfort.

• Potted Plant: Unlike cut flowers, a plant like a peace lily, snake plant, or succulent can last long-term and symbolize enduring care.

• Memorial Tree Kit: A tree-planting kit allows them to plant a tree in memory of their loved one, creating a lasting tribute.
  

Donation in Their Loved One’s Honor

If their loved one had a cause or charity they cared about, making a donation in their memory can be a meaningful gesture.

• Personalized Certificate or Card: Many organizations will provide a certificate or acknowledgment that you can give to the grieving person.
  

Grief Retreats

You can do some research for them and find a few grief retreats for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Our three day retreat offers the bereaved a chance to have an after-death communication with their loved one using IADC therapy. Using the Induced After-Death Communication (IADC) eye movement technique, this retreat creates a safe, supportive space for the opportunity to make meaningful contact with a person you loved who has died. You can learn more about it by visiting www.Iadcintensives.com

Final Thoughts

When selecting a gift for someone who is grieving, the most important thing is your intention. A thoughtful gift shows that you see their pain and want to offer comfort and support. Whether it’s a small token or a more personalized item, your gesture can remind them that they are not alone on their grief journey.