When someone you know loses a beloved family member, it can be hard to find the right words to comfort them. In this instance, you might want to go with a sympathy gift to convey your condolence and support for that person you care about. We’ve picked out a few unique ideas to give you a helping hand.
1. Memorial jewellery and keepsakes
Increasingly popular, keepsake jewellery allows people to carry a part of their late loved ones wherever they go. At Direct, we work with a trusted partner to bring you a collection of handcrafted keepsake jewellery all the way from Australia. For an even more personal touch, you can choose to engrave the deceased’s initials on your selected pendant.
2. Personalised photo albums, memory books or videos
When it comes to preserving memories, few other things are as powerful as photographs. From the significant milestones to the little yet precious everyday moments, a personalised photo album keeps the memory of a loved one alive. This can provide a much-needed sense of solace during a challenging time of loss. Videos, too, are a wonderful way for a person in grief to remember a special someone by. Search online and you’ll find plenty of video makers that can help you tell a beautiful story.
3. Donation in memory of the deceased to a meaningful cause or charity
Here’s one of the most meaningful sympathy gifts around: making a charitable donation in the name of the deceased. The donation can be made to a charity or a cause that was especially important to the deceased, like an elderly care home or a wildlife rescue centre. Just remember, it’s not the amount that matters but the meaning behind your donation.
4. Prepared meals or food delivery services
People suffering from the passing of a loved one often experience a loss of appetite along with it. They may be too depressed to eat, skip mealtimes to avoid eating alone, or forget about eating altogether. At times like this, wouldn’t it be nice for someone to send them a comforting meal? If you enjoy cooking, you could even whip out some wholesome home-cooked food. That’s a thoughtful way to show that you’re there for them.
5. Books or resources on grief and healing
When you do not know what to say to a bereaved friend or relative, why not let books speak for you? In fact, there are tons of books on grief and healing out there for your picking. Among them is It’s OK That You’re Not OK by Megan Devine, a therapist who unfortunately lost her husband in a drowning accident. This bestseller is a great resource to help people navigate through grief when they feel like no one fully understands the heaviness and emptiness of it.
Then there’s also Where Did Grandpa Go? and I Remember Grandma, both penned by Direct’s CEO and lead counsellor Darren Cheng, alongside his journalist friend Andre Frois. While Where Did Grandpa Go? gives young readers a better understanding of death and parting, I Remember Grandma gets them to embrace and celebrate the memory of a loved one. Easy to read and vibrantly illustrated, these books are written from an areligious angle to cater to any children—and even adults—struggling with the loss of their dearest grandparents.
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