I recently attended two funerals for family members of good friends. I was trying to think of something I could give to my friends that would help them get through the rough time. Something beyond the flowers and simply being there. Something I could wrap and hand to them. For those of you who have recently lost someone, was there a gift that someone gave you that has has helped you?

Honestly, other than the wonderful feeling from having so many people come to the visitation & the funeral; AND the wonderful Memorial Gifts to Hospice (they sent us a list of everyone who sent a contribution) there is no physical gift that could have meant more to me.

what about a memory book? you could get family members to contribute photos and messages detailing their fondest memories of the deceased, and you could make a gift of that

or a message tree to plant in the garden, one that flowers perhaps( peach, cherry or apple) and the family members could write on parcel tags the things they want to say and attach them to the branches.
hope this has helped xxxx

I lost my mom last Aug. and my most cherished (physical) gift from a friend was a photo of me and mom together engraved on a "dogtag" style necklace. There are different styles you can have made for a guy or girl. Our mall has a couple of kiosks that make them - any photo can be used. If you want to search the web... just type "photo engraved dogtag" in any search engine and you should be able to see examples. It is kind of you to be so thoughtful in their time of loss.

lilanna
I lost my father in January after a long hospital stay and a short hospice stay.....after the funeral a close friend of mine came over and gave me a present..it was a willow tree angel....called Father and Daughter...i just adore it..i was always by his side...even though hes gone when i see that figure i am remined of our closeness....
http://www.catholicsupply.com/christmas/wtfigures.html

is a good place to see what i'm talking about
i've had a friend lose a son in a car accident..and i bought the mom..the mother and son ...and the dad the father and son..both sent me a note seperately saying they felt a connection to the figure i gave them...