The Heart of Miss Bee Inc.'s 2024 Top 12 Recommended Grief Gifts
The Heart of Miss Bee, Inc. recommends this list of our top 12 thoughtful gifts as a way to bring comfort to those who are grieving. Think about your person, who they have lost, and how your gift may bring comfort into their lives when they need it most. Also, remember to allocate time to be fully present, attentive, and supportive to your grieving friend. No gift can ever measure up to your physical presence.
If you need guidance on how to be a helpful friend, please download our free guide here.
With that shared, here are some recommended gifts that may provide comfort during the grieving process:
I Miss You Grief Journal or Gratitude Diary: A journal can provide an outlet for the grieving woman to express her thoughts, feelings, and memories. A gratitude diary can also help her focus on the positive aspects of her life during a challenging time.
I Miss You Comfort Sympathy Gift Box: Prepare or gift a basket/box of comforting food items or a gift basket filled with self-care items like tea, chocolates, or soothing bath products.
A Plush Teddy Bear: A plush teddy bear offers grieving people something to squeeze, cuddle, and snuggle with; this may provide great comfort to someone wanting something to hug and hold close to their heart.
Thoughtful Sympathy Cards: A heartfelt sympathy card can offer words of support and let the grieving know they are not alone. Please take the time to read the cards carefully to ensure that your card truly conveys your supportive sentiments and loving message. The griever should feel comforted by your card.
Groceries or Prepared Meals: Grieving people have little energy for anything as their brains are being overloaded with feelings of immense sadness. Sending a bag of healthy groceries is helpful because grieving people need proper nourishment while navigating grief. Prepared meals also go a long way as well. Be sure to confirm allergy and dietary restrictions before sending ready meals and bags of groceries. Many large grocery stores offer grocery delivery services, which are very helpful if you cannot deliver the groceries yourself. And remember, grocery gift cards can also be beneficial if the grieving person has a support circle willing to do the grocery shopping on their behalf.
Self-Care Items: Encourage self-care and self-compassion by gifting items such as scented candles, bath salts, essential oils, or a cozy blanket to provide comfort and relaxation.
Supportive Books: Recommend books offering comfort, guidance, and inspiration during grieving. Some popular choices include; "30 Days: Surviving the Trauma and Unexpected Loss of a Single Parent as an Only Child by Kinyatta E. Gray, Grief is Love by Marisa Renee Lee, and It's OK to Not Be OK by Megan Devine.
Memorial Jewelry: Consider gifting a piece of jewelry that can serve as a tangible reminder of the loved one who has passed away. This could be a necklace, bracelet, or personalized charm.
Donation in Memory: Consider donating to a meaningful cause or organization to the loved one who passed away or that provides research on the cause of a loved one's death. The Heart of Miss Bee, Inc. is a great organization to donate to, with a mission to help grieving women through support, outreach, education, and coaching.
Plants or Memorial Tree: A potted plant or a memorial tree can bring a sense of life and beauty into the grieving person's space. Choose plants known for calming and soothing properties, such as lavender or peace lilies.
Personalized Keepsakes: Personalized gifts, such as engraved photo frames, custom-made memorial ornaments, or a memory box, can provide a tangible reminder of the loved one and offer comfort in the grieving process.
Framed Photo of Griever and Their Loved One: A beautiful photo of the griever and their loved one can transport their mind, if even just for a minute, to a place they remember that brings them a moment of respite while in grief.
Beautiful pendant gifted to the founder of The Heart of Miss Bee, Inc. honoring her mom, Miss Bee.
Remember, the most essential aspect of gifting the grieving is showing empathy, support, and understanding. When selecting a gift, one must consider their individual preferences, cultural background, and personal beliefs. One grief gift does not "fit all".
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Kinyatta E. Gray writes about grief and loss, and is the founder of The Heart of Miss Bee, Inc, Flights In Stilettos, and InHer Bliss Life Coaching. Gray has design and released over 20 guided and blank journals for women, teens and men.