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What You Should Know When Picking Funeral Gifts
Although flowers remain the most popular gifts for funeral services, many people have become more creative and expanded beyond cut bouquets. Discover what other items and sentiments you can present to the grieving family and show your support.
Many families now provide a prompt to friends and fellow grievers on what to give in lieu of flowers. Often posted at the funeral home or in the obituary, charitable causes, trust funds and other avenues for donation provide the ideal way to express support and honor your loved one.
Consider supporting the grievers with a gift of food. Prepared meals, restaurant gift cards and snacks on hand help the family to make it through the difficult initial grieving time. This can be a one-time gift or an ongoing blessing, depending on the type of food. Fill their freezer with nutritious options and always keep allergies and tastes in mind. Be sure to include instructions for storage and reheating.
Lasting memorials offer another touching gift option. Plant a tree, create a garden or place a park bench in a special location in honor of the deceased. Consider a local park or traditional vacation spot. Have a picture taken of the memorial for presentation to the family or take them to the location for a time of rest and reflection.
Photographs and art allow the grieving family to refresh their memories and you may have access to unique photos and visual memories. Spend the time to sort through your photographs and have a special shot or collection of shots framed to present to the grieving family. Hiring an artist to paint or pencil sketch the photo is also a nice gesture.
Offers of time and service offer an affordable option for condolences. Consider taking on household tasks or odd jobs for the grieving family. Handling lawn maintenance, house and auto repairs, babysitting, cleaning and many other regular tasks allow the family more time to heal. Your generosity will be remembered long after the task has been completed.
Think about presenting grievers with sentiments other than flowers, or supplement the traditional condolence with one of these creative options to express your love and support.
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