30 Best Sympathy Gift Ideas
Sakshi Bahal is a commerce writer with a master's degree in English Literature from Calcutta University. She was a part of the editorial team of her school magazine. Her love for writing inspired her ... read full bio
Image: Shutterstock
It is a traumatic time when a loved one passes away. If a close friend of yours is grieving the death of a family member or loved one, you need to be there for them. You need to support them and let them know that you are grieving by their side. It is an appropriate and welcome gesture to send your friend a thoughtful sympathy gift at such times. It shows them that they are loved and you are thinking of them in this difficult time.
While flowers are the most common gifts sent to someone who is grieving, there is no reason you cannot think outside the box. People go through a lot when a loved one passes. There are funeral arrangements to be made, paperwork to take care of, people to be informed, wills to be executed…the list is endless. Flowers may be a comforting sight, but they need to be cared for. They also don’t last very long and need to be thrown away.
Instead of adding to their tasks, you could think of gifting your friend or the family something different. It could be something practical that helps them out or something decadent to remind them to take care of themselves. It could also be a memorial gift in honor of the person who has passed away. Read on for alternative sympathy gift ideas on what to send to your grieving loved one.
In This Article
30 Best Sympathy Gift Ideas
1. Handcrafted Bath Bombs Gift Set
The death of a loved one can quickly turn your whole world upside down. In the rush of sorrow that follows and all the tasks that need to be done, the last thing that the family has time for is self-care. This set of 12 handcrafted bath bombs can be the perfect gift for your friend, who has been stressed and tired lately. It will help them relax and take their minds off the pain.
2. Assorted Succulents Sympathy Gift Box
Succulents are an excellent alternative to flowers, especially when you know your friend has probably received a dozen bouquets by now. They are easy to care for and need very little water. This set of 12 colorful succulents add liveliness to any room and last much longer than flowers. Gift this to cheer up your friend without adding more work to their plate.
3. Woodstock Amazing Grace Chime
Windchimes have the unique ability to calm a mind that is overworked with stress and emotions. The sound of wind chimes on a breezy day can bring peace and comfort to someone grappling with loss. This musical wind chime from Woodstock is tuned to the opening notes of the much-beloved hymn ‘Amazing Grace.’ It can be a treasured sympathy gift to commemorate the happy memories of the departed.
4. Wine Country Gift Baskets
Sending condolences with one of the Wine Country Gift Baskets is an elegant and thoughtful gesture. The gourmet meals and snacks included in this well-assembled gift basket are guaranteed to bring the recipient some much-needed cheer. In addition to the godiva chocolate truffles, caramel popcorn, almond biscuits, and roasted almonds, the basket also contains other high-quality treats. A beautiful condolence card is included, and you may write your own message inside. Sending this card is a thoughtful way to show your love and support at any challenging time.
5. Celebration of Life Memorial Lantern with Flickering LED Candle
The Celebration of Life Memorial Lantern with Flickering LED Candle may be a soothing reminder of the good times spent with the gone loved one and provide consolation to those who are mourning. The metal frame and glass panels of the lantern are both high-quality components that let the LED candle’s soft glow show through. The emotional significance of the lantern is enhanced by the wonderful inscription it bears: “Forever in our Hearts.” The candle within the lantern is made to flicker like a real flame, and it may be utilized in a number of different contexts, such as a funeral, memorial, or even at the house of the bereaved.
6. Inspirational Bracelet With Engraved Mantra
This inspiring bracelet is a good condolence gift for someone dealing with the loss of a father. It has an uplifting message engraved on the inside – “Kind heart, fierce mind, brave spirit.” – That can encourage your loved one to be brave in this time of pain. The bracelet is fully adjustable to fit all sizes. The engraved mantra will impart daily positive affirmation, so the wearer can find the courage to move on after a tragedy.
7. Playmags 3D Magnetic Blocks For Kids
When a family is going through a loss, it helps to keep the children distracted, who are otherwise forgotten among the grief. This set of magnetic playing blocks can help the child escape from thinking about the deceased and channel their sorrow another way. The tiles are a perfect gift for toddlers aged 3+. The family will also appreciate that someone chose to think about the child during such a time.
8. Nuts And Dried Fruits Gift Basket
A sympathy gift basket, such as this one filled with nuts and dried fruits, is sure to be warmly received by someone who has lost a loved one. It is tough to do simple tasks like cooking and eating while grieving. Your friend will be genuinely grateful for this basket and the thought behind it. They can also serve this tray when friends and family come to visit after the funeral to offer condolences.
9. Chanasya & Healing Hugs Gift Throw Blanket Set
The Chanasya & Healing Hugs Gift Throw Blanket Set is an excellent gift for anybody who is currently going through a difficult time in their life. The set contains two blankets that are both fashionable and comfortable, perfect for cuddling up with on cold nights. The blanket is excellent for cuddling on the sofa or staying warm on cold evenings since it is created from high-quality microfiber fabric on one side and a soft and fluffy sherpa lining on the other. The healing hugs blanket is a plush throw with the comforting words “Sending Healing Hugs” embroidered in a compassionate message. This message serves as a gentle reminder that the receiver is not alone and is loved.
10. Notes On Grief By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Notes On Grief By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a book where the author recounts her ways of coping with her loss, from accepting the condolences, to carrying out the inevitable rituals when someone close passes away. For those finding it difficult to process through the grief, listening or reading about someone else’s journey might seem comforting. Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has noted down some exceptional work of meditation, remembrance, and hope after she loses her beloved father. The book walks you through her journey where Covid-19 brought her world crumbling down.
With the pandemic and her family members being away from each other to her father’s unexpectedly arising complications of kidney failure and succumbing to death – the book has it all! It depicts the writer’s tale of grief, loneliness and anger. The author makes sure to walk you through her deepest and devastating details with a touch of honest humor to make it an easy read. Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie weaves together her own experience of her father’s death as she beautifully threads stories from his life, his experiences during the Biafran war, his fruitful career as a statistics professor, and lastly his last days during the pandemic where he was always there just a video chat away.
11. Evergreen Garden Polystone Memorial Stepping Stone
This memorial garden stepping stone is a touching remembrance gift that will be appreciated by the family. A symbol of love, this garden stone serves as a heartfelt tribute to remember and honor the memory of the departed. It features an inspirational quote bordered by hand-carved details of purple and pink butterflies and green leaves. This garden accessory can also double up as wall art to display indoors.
12. Healing Thoughts Blanket
This gift is a perfect pick when you want to remind your friend that they are loved, valued, and cherished. These reminders are especially welcome during sad times. This beautiful and comforting blanket can be used to send warm hugs and positive energy to your friend when you can’t be there for them in person. It is a thoughtful gift that inspires calm and peace and tells your friend how much you care about them.
13. Biscotti Cookie Gift Basket
For someone mourning the loss of a loved one, a hug or a shoulder to cry on may turn out to be more valuable than gifts. What also helps is something sweet – like this sympathy basket of cookies. It is a simple indulgence, but bite-sized snacks such as these are much more practical when cooking, and sitting down for a full meal seems like an impossible task.
14. Willow Tree Remembrance Angel Figurine
If you want to comfort someone who is going through the unbearable pain of losing a child, this remembrance angel figurine from Willow Tree can be a sensitive sympathy gift. It comes with a sentiment card that reads, “Memories… hold each one safely in your heart.” The angel expresses comfort, sympathy, comfort, and healing to help the bereaved overcome this trauma.
15. Pavilion Gift Ceramic Soy Wax Candle
An elegant and heartfelt token of condolence, the Pavilion Gift Ceramic Soy Wax Candle may help ease the pain of loss. The candle is made from high-quality soy wax and burns cleanly and evenly. It is infused with a calming and soothing scent. The candle’s ceramic container has a touching message: “In Memory of a Loved One – A Life that Touches Others Will Live On Forever.” This is meant to serve as a reminder of the influence the deceased had on others and the perpetuity of their memory.
16. Pet Memorial Picture Frame
The loss of a dear pet, who had been a member of the family for many years, is no less painful than the passing of a person. For someone going through the trauma of losing a pet, this picture frame fitted with a cheerful picture of their loving pet can be a comforting condolence gift. It is engraved with a sentimental quote, a paw print within a heart, and a golden halo above it.
17. Dulaya Memories Art Angel Statue
When a companion is suffering, you want nothing more than for angels to enfold them in their love and remove their suffering. The Dulaya Memories Art Angel Statue is a beautiful piece, as it is made of high-quality resin and has a design that is both detailed and refined. The statue represents a lovely angel with spread wings, clutching a heart to its bosom, and is about 9 inches in height. The words “May You Find Comfort In The Arms Of An Angel” engraved on the statue are a reminder that their departed loved one is at rest in paradise.
18. Keepsake Gift Jar with Sympathy Messages
A sympathy card offers the bereaved words of comfort to tide them through their sorrow. With this keepsake gift jar, you can give your friend more than one uplifting message. It is filled with 31 positive and powerful words from inspirational figures. Each message is encased in a tiny envelope that will soothe your friend’s aching heart whenever they open one.
19. Personalized Granite Memorial Stone
A personalized memorial gift shows added thoughtfulness and is sure to be appreciated by your friend as well as their family. This memorial stone made of black granite is engraved with the tree of life. You can customize it by adding the name, birth year, and year of the passing of the departed soul. There is also an option to add a personal quote in honor of their memory.
20. Broadway Basketeers Gourmet Gift Basket
You cannot go wrong with sympathy gift baskets, such as this one filled with cookies, chocolates, and other snacks. It helps the people staying in the house to have something to munch on when proper sit-down meals are not possible. Your friend will also appreciate being able to serve these delicious nuts and cookies to guests who have arrived to offer condolences. If nothing else, you will save them a trip to the bakery.
21. Wrought Iron Personalized Memorial Garden Stake
This personalized garden stake made of wrought iron can be the ideal sympathy gift for someone who has lost a loving grandparent. Placed in the garden near their favorite spot, the garden stake will make for a genuinely unique ‘in memoriam’ gift. It features a meaningful inscription that reads, “Your Wings Were Ready, But Our Hearts Were Not.”
22. Memorial Wind Chimes
As a token of your sympathy and support at this difficult time, the Memorial Wind Chimes for loss of aunt remembrance is a touching gesture. This is a lovely and touching tribute to a dear aunt who has gone away. High-quality materials and careful design go into making these wind chimes, which are sure to provide calm and serenity. The specific inscription on the wind chimes says, “In Loving Memory of Aunt,” and is meant to serve as a constant reminder of the happy times and deep affection experienced with the aunt throughout her lifetime. The chimes are built from a long-lasting, weatherproof material that will keep them ringing for years to come. This wind chime is a lovely and permanent way to honor happy times.
23. JoycuFF Memory Jewelry Bracelet
The Joycuff Memory Jewelry Bracelet is an exquisite token of compassion for remembering and celebrating the life of a departed loved one. Everyday use of this stainless steel bracelet may serve as a constant reminder of the affection and respect you have for the person commemorated. The bracelet’s little angel wing charm and heart charm, which is inscribed with the words “Always in my heart,” make for an understated yet beautiful design. This bracelet is presented in a lovely gift box, making it ideal as a token of sympathy for someone who has experienced loss. This Bracelet is a one-of-a-kind keepsake that can be customized with a meaningful inscription in honor of the deceased.
24. Yountasy Sympathy Wind Chimes
You can’t go wrong with the Yountasy Sympathy Wind Chimes as a memorial gift for someone who has just lost a loved one. The soft tinkling of these wind chimes is meant to help individuals who are mourning find some solace in their surroundings. The wind chimes include a strong nylon braided wire that can survive the elements and anodized aluminum tubes that provide a clear and beautiful sound. The tubes have the touching statement “The ones we love never really leave us” etched on them, and the chime is complemented with a lovely metal wind catcher that catches the light and reflects the design. It is well-designed, has a pleasant tone, and serves as a fitting memorial to a dearly departed loved one.
25. Always In My Heart Photo Pendant
This silver heart-shaped locket with the words “Always In My Heart” engraved on the front is perfect for a woman who has lost someone close to her. The pendant can be customized with a laser-engraved photo on the inside. This sympathy gift turns a cherished photograph into an everlasting memory that your friend can keep close to her heart always.
26. Just For Wind Wind Chime
Windchimes have a special quality that enables them to relax an overworked mind preoccupied with worries and feelings. The Just For Wind memorial wind chime produces sounds that are pleasant and comforting, which may give comfort and consolation to individuals who are going through a time of loss. In addition, the wind chimes come with a customizable engraving option, which gives you the opportunity to add a unique message as well as the name of the person whose memory you are remembering. This makes them a very considerate and distinctive memorial gift.
27. Comforting Angel Candle Holder
When you see your friend in pain, you can’t help but wish that angels would surround them with love and take away their pain. This candle holder shaped like a comforting angel will give them lasting memories of their loved ones. The gift comes with a dedication card that you can fill in and a beautiful poem called “Sending You An Angel.” Both friends and family will treasure this sympathy gift.
28. Gill & Jill Thinking Of You Scented Aromatherapy Candle
A Gill & Jill Thinking Of You Scented Aromatherapy Candle is a kind gift of compassion that may provide peace and consolation to people who are suffering from loss. This memorial gift was carefully crafted to show your love and support during this difficult period. The candle is packaged in an attractive glass jar and is crafted using soy wax that burns cleanly and evenly. Lavender, vanilla, and sandalwood come together to produce a comforting and pleasant aroma.
29. Memorial Cat Plaque
This memorial garden plaque can be a touching sympathy gift for a pet owner who has lost their beloved cat. You can personalize it with the cat’s name, year of birth, and year of passing. The cat silhouette design is beautifully engraved on top. This memorial stone can be displayed in the garden and would be a unique way to keep the cat’s memory alive. Your friend is sure to be touched by this warm gesture.
30. A Gift Inside Sympathy Chocolate Caramel And Crunch Grand Gift Basket
You can’t go wrong with sympathy gift baskets like this one, which includes a variety of treats including cookies, chocolates, and other munchies. When full, sit-down dinners are not feasible, having snacks available assists those remaining in the home. This gift basket is ideal for anybody who appreciates both sweet and savory delicacies, and it can be shared with family and friends in order to provide a distracting and reassuring diversion during a difficult period.
These are some ideas for the best sympathy gifts that you can give to your friend and their family to help them through a troubling time. You can choose from this list or take inspiration to gift them something along these lines. No matter what you give, remember to accompany it with some kind words from you and a warm hug.
Are there any sympathy gifts that you prefer sending someone on such occasions? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to send when someone dies?
It is generally appropriate to send flowers along with a sympathy card upon first hearing the news of someone’s passing. Around the time of or after the funeral, you can send a thoughtful gift that you think may be useful.
What to bring to a funeral?
While it is not compulsory to bring a gift, it is a good idea to carry funeral flowers, or better yet, a small memorial gift, such as a card or a food item. The family will appreciate the kind gesture, especially if you are close to them.
Is it appropriate to give a gift card at a funeral?
No, it is not. If you want to do something thoughtful, offer the family your time or service instead. Running errands is appreciated a lot more.
When should I send the sympathy gift?
If you have sent the card immediately after learning about the death, you can still send a thoughtful memorial gift within a couple of weeks after the demise to let the family know you have been thinking of them.
Where to buy sympathy gifts?
You may shop for something suitable at your local gift shop. If you are not lucky enough to have one nearby, shopping online is your best bet. There are more choices and many unique ideas, as listed above.
Should you send a sympathy card if you go to the funeral?
A card or a sympathy note is more appropriate when you are unable to attend the funeral. However, it is acceptable to attach a sympathy card with your bouquet, if you choose to send one.
