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38 Appropriate Sympathy Gifts to Express Your Condolences
When words fail, these heartfelt ideas can help.
When a loved one is grieving, it's hard to know what to do or say during such a challenging time. Some want to talk through their emotions and feel comforted when surrounded by people, while others want to be left alone to acclimate to their new reality. Whatever the case, it’s important to let them know they are not alone. And if you can’t be there physically with them, you can show your support in other ways, like a thoughtful gift.
While many may turn to flowers, in some religions, sending them may not be appropriate. Even if the culture does appreciate flowers during this time, sympathy gifts, like the ones below, can feel more personal. But you'll see that we highlighted a bunch of food gift basket options, because across the board, making sure the family is eating and doesn't have to think about cooking right now, is always a good idea. Just make sure the food item you're sending follows their diet if they have one.
Overall, every condolence idea we've highlighted in this guide is intended to help the person heal throughout the grieving process whether they lost a parent, spouse, close friend or even a pet.
Food is one of the most popular ideas to send, and this is a great option as it includes different fruits and snacks, which might be all they can handle eating right now.
Finding the right words to say is difficult, but this card can help. The beautiful front reads, "Goodbye is now forever, love is," while the inside says, "Thinking of you and wishing you peace ... now and in the days ahead."
RELATED: What to Write in a Sympathy Card for a Meaningful Message
18K Gold Over Sterling Silver Italian Rosary
18K Gold Over Sterling Silver Italian Rosary
If they follow the Catholic religion, they may need to feel connected to their roots now more than ever. This stunning bracelet, featuring the Miraculous Medal of the Virgin Mary, can help.
In the Jewish religion, on the anniversary of someone's death, the loved ones will light a “soul candle" in their honor. "I can not recommend this product enough. It is worth every penny. The flame has been constantly burning for 6 days now and has provided me with such comfort as a visible tribute to my loved one," one Amazon reviewer wrote.
No matter where they are or where you are, you can send them a box of sweets to try and brighten their day. Featuring basmas, ballourie and more, it comes from a restaurant with Halal status.
1800 Flowers Wishing You Peace Sympathy Fruit Basket
1800 Flowers Wishing You Peace Sympathy Fruit Basket
Fresh fruit will be delivered right to their door thanks to this Kosher basket. It comes wrapped in a "with sympathy" ribbon for an extra sincere touch.
Many people believe those who have died can still send messages to their loved ones who are living through things like numbers and objects. Here, they can keep the pennies being sent to them to feel a sense of comfort.
In her bestselling book Notes on Grief, author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie gives a deeply personal account of the loss of her father. Readers will appreciate her openness and insight into the grieving process.
This beautifully bound journal from Duncan and Stone is perfect for recording memories and processing grief. Sections include things to remember, important dates, self-care practices and more. Add a pretty pen to inspire them to write in it.
For tea drinkers, a warm cuppa can be a godsend. Raw, unfiltered honey and chamomile tea with a hint of peppermint round out this thoughtful package from the Republic of Tea.
This Grief and Loss Toolbox is great for helping kids process loss, with a cuddly stuffie, a book to help start the conversation and a digital downloadable resources guide. Working through bereavement with kids is also helpful for the grown-ups.
This elegant photo necklace from Mint and Lily enables the wearer to keep their loved ones close to their heart. It comes in silver, rose gold and gold plating.
Keep memories alive with this remembrance jar from Demdaco. It includes a set of 25 notecards inside to encourage the recipient to write out their memories or words of reflection.
The soothing light and fresh scent from this candle will help set a serene atmosphere for those who are grieving. It also comes in a pretty box that's perfect for gifting.
Write a message to a departed loved one with this beautifully crafted heart-casting heart then throw it out to sea or float it down a river to commemorate their passing.
Angel Glass Rose Figurine
These beautiful glass angels, filled with roses, are the perfect sympathy gift. "Bought this angel as a gift and the recipient immediately fell in love with her. Truly a wonderful and special gift," one Amazon reviewer wrote.
This LED shadow box is a truly unique condolence gift. Made of wood, it comes in a few different designs to choose from, including butterflies, which symbolize messages from departed loved ones.
Amethyst is said to soothe grief and encourage healing. They can wear this minimalist bracelet (complete with an angel charm) whenever they're missing their lost loved one.
This memorial evergreen tree comes with everything they'll need to commemorate their loved one for generations to come. It's a great gift, whether they have a green thumb or are just starting to flesh out their garden.
Go beyond the standard sympathy card with this pop-up, laser-cut version. "Pretty little pop up sympathy card that says a little bit more than a normal card," one Amazon reviewer wrote. It comes with a blank card inside, so you can share a few words of comfort.
Cailey Lindberg (she/her) is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering products, lifestyle, entertainment and food. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, she was a staff writer at USA Today's shopping network, Reviewed.com.
Christina Montoya Fiedler is a Los Angeles-based freelancer with over 15 years of experience writing for online publications. Her work can be seen in Good Housekeeping and Woman's Day, where she covers everything from gift guides to personal essays. She holds a B.A. in English from Chapman University and is working toward her Early Childhood Education teaching credentials.
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