Gift Ideas for a Grieving Friend (That Aren’t Things)
When you have a friend who has lost a loved one, it can feel impossible to know what to do for them. Even in normal times, it’s hard to know what to say or do, but we’re not in normal times. When you can’t attend the funeral, visit or even give your friend a hug, you’ve got to get a little more creative.
There are plenty of thoughtful gifts you can send, but what if your friend is a minimalist? What if their love language is Acts of Service? Maybe you just don’t want to take the risk of sending them a plant or photo frame that’s just going to clutter up their house or feel like one more thing they need to deal with.
After a loss, many people feel like they’re in a fog and have trouble focusing. Asking them what they need is often fruitless, because they don’t know. The gift of time and space to mourn can be one of the most valuable things you can give. Here are some ideas that will show your grieving friend how much you care about them and want to help, no matter how many miles separate you.
A Phone Call - While a phone call may not feel like a gift, I can assure you it is. Be thoughtful about it and ask when a good time might be, then you be the one to call during the approved window. Not sure what to say? Start by asking how they’re doing today. Ask what’s going on or what is stressing them out. Inquire about their loved ones. Then listen, for however long they want to talk. Don’t feel like you need to fix anything or make them feel better—the whole point is just to show you care and you’re there for them.
Meal Delivery - You may not be able to drop off your own homemade lasagna, but you can still have meals delivered to your friend. Meal kits like Blue Apron, HelloFresh and others take care of the meal planning and grocery shopping, but they do require the time and energy to actually follow the directions and make the meals. If that’s too much for your friend, consider something like a Seamless gift card or even a DoorDash or Uber Eats gift card to make their life a little easier.
Grocery Delivery - Take the hassle and stress of going to the grocery store off your friend’s plate with a gift card to Instacart (any amount) or a subscription to Shipt (12-month or 6-month membership). Your friend chooses the items, then voila! Bags show up at their door. It’s a godsend.
House Cleaning - If cleaning is just not something your friend has the energy to deal with right now, outsource it to professionals. You may want to research whether there are small businesses you want to support in your friend’s area, or check out TIDY, Handy, or Molly Maid for gift certificate options.
Organization and Task Support - Your friend likely has a list of things they need to take care of now that their loved one has passed away. If there are things like accounts that need to be closed, memberships that need to be cancelled, or forms that need to be tracked down, Compass Coordinators can help. Contact to learn more.
