Make a Sympathy Basket

When you decide to give your Bereavement Basket will determine what you will chose to include.

A) If you are very close to the person grieving, perhaps you can make a small basket for the day of the visitation and funeral.

Things you could include:

• Kleenex
• hand sanitizer or individually wrapped wipes
• lotion
• water bottle
• hard candies for dry throat/fresh breath

Also having been through this myself and knowing how long the day can be, sometimes a cereal or granola bar can be helpful or even a sleeve of graham crackers – something to give a boost of energy – while being easy on the stomach. Even if they don’t feel hungry they will need energy to make it through the day.

Include a teardrop bottle or a small pamphlet with comforting verses.

B) If you are making one to bring at a later time to the bereaved there are other ideas of things to include.

You might want to include any of the following:

• a small plant
• teardrop bottle
• a special photo you have of the deceased (you could put it in a special frame like this one from DaySpring)
• an obituary clipping - you could even laminate it
• write out a good memory of your loved one
• add a book that gives comfort - Poetry of Comfort & Hope for the Grieving by Ron Tranmer is a nice little book of poems. Find it on my Bereavement Books page.

This site, Comfort Boxes and Gifts -Sympathy Gifts ,might be helpful for more ideas on sympathy or bereavement baskets.

If you live too far away you might want to consider sending one. This company has many nice items to offer. Golden State Fruit - Gift Baskets, Fruit Clubs and more with FREE Shipping They have organic choices as well as an option of a gift that keeps on giving, a monthly club that sends something every month. I think this could be a nice way to show the grieving person that you are remembering them throughout that whole first year.

I also like Just Because Baskets & Beyond Customized Gifts They have baskets specifically for Sympathy or you can build your own. They give you the power to personalize your gift.

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