25 Sympathy Gifts to Comfort Loved Ones

25 sympathy gift ideas

These 25 condolence gifts can offer peace and comfort to your loved one during this difficult time.

1. Personalized journal

It can be challenging to find the right words after a loved one passes. A personalized journal enables them to write down all their thoughts in private, guiding them through this hard time.

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2. The Year of Magical Thinking book

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion is a thoughtful book you can give to a grieving individual who enjoys reading. This book discusses Joan's own journey with trying to find meaning in grief. Her reflections can help your loved one feel comfort during this difficult time.

3. The Grief Companion Cards

Whether your loved one needs a sense of comfort or wants to set positive intentions for their day, these grief cards can be a great help. This deck of cards serves as an on-the-go resource to better understand the grieving process.

4. Hand-drawn portrait

Capture a fond memory of them and their loved one with a hand-drawn portrait. You don't need to be artistically inclined for this gift. Simply find an individual artist or service that offers this and send the photo you'd like memorialized. Once it's finished, frame it for your loved one to keep in a place of honor.

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5. Photo book

Hand-creating a photo book is a beautiful way to cherish an individual's life. You can fill the album with photos throughout their lives, showcasing all their biggest moments. Gifting this homemade scrapbook to a loved one allows them to look back on their fondest memories together.

6. Pet memorial photo block

If your loved one is grieving the loss of a furry friend, they might love a personalized photo block of their pet. Made from birch wood, this custom piece is the perfect size to hang anywhere in the house. The block comes with a large photo and can be customized to include a commemorative planter.

7. Memorial wind chimes

Wind chimes make great remembrance gifts that can provide comfort and a sense of peace to those grieving. The chimes act as a subtle reminder of a loved one's presence even in their absence. You can find a variety of wind chimes, from angel wings to personalized photo memorial chimes.

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8. Sympathy crystal

Sympathy crystals shine rainbow-colored light along walls and ceilings, offering a glimpse of beauty even on dark days. These crystals come with a chain, making it easy to mount and hang in front of any window.

9. Flowers

Giving a condolence gift to a loved one can be challenging. If you find yourself struggling with what to get, sympathy flowers are a great go-to. These fresh florals bring color to your loved one's home and can make any day appear brighter.

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10. Pop-up flower bouquet

Whether it's seasonal allergies, or you're looking for a gift that will last longer than a week, paper pop-up bouquets are the way to go. These bouquets stand nearly 11 inches tall and look as beautiful as the real thing. Plus, they require no setup or cleanup.

11. A fern

If your loved one prefers plants over flowers, give them a fern. This low-maintenance plant thrives in indirect sunlight and only needs water once every week or two. It also is pet-friendly, making it an ideal gift option for animal lovers.

12. A living tribute

Honor your loved one's memory with the gift of a living tribute tree. Trees carry so many benefits, from providing oxygen to creating a home for wildlife. You can choose to plant the tree in their backyard, or have a company plant one in a state forest, helping provide a better habitat to wildlife.

13. Personalized memorial bench

If your family member has a yard or garden, give them a memorial bench. This unique memorial gift consists of stone-cast concrete with a personalized message on the seat. You can add your deceased loved one's name on the bench or a loving quote to memorialize them.

14. A garden stone

Memorial garden stones are great gifts that you can place either outdoors or indoors. During the spring, place the stone outside and surround it with fresh, blooming flowers. Then in the cooler winter months, you can bring it inside to hang on the mantle.

15. Flower seeds

To go alongside the garden stone, you can also give a packet of flower seeds, so they can honor their loved one by growing something beautiful. Choose a variety of colors to brighten up their outdoor space.

16. Angel wings ornament

This angel wing ornament offers beauty and love during the holiday season. The ornament consists of intricate gold wings and a rainbow-making crystal. You can also personalize it with their loved one's name. It's the perfect way to continue to celebrate the season with your loved ones.

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17. Birthstone necklace

Celebrate the life of a loved one with a birthstone necklace. This jewelry piece features a petite raw-cut gemstone placed in a delicate gold rim and chain. The gemstone allows your family member to carry their loved ones with them everywhere they go.

18. A candle

Let your loved one's light shine with a customized candle. Some candlemakers will allow you to personalize a piece with the name of a loved one printed on the label. You can choose their favorite scent for an extra personal touch, from French vanilla to fresh-cut roses.

19. Soothe and sleep foaming bath

Sometimes, the best kind of care after a loved one passes is self-care. Try a soothing foam bath that contains pure Epsom salt and essential oils, which can help soothe the senses and relieve stress. Pair these bath salts with a candle to create a calming night for your loved one.

20. Shower or bath bombs

Bath bombs can also provide extra comfort when it's most needed. Try a gift set with different-colored bath bombs that each contain various therapeutic and moisturizing properties. That way, they can relish in a moment of calm whenever they need it.

21. Throw blanket

After a loved one passes, there are going to be times when your family member will want to curl up with a cozy blanket. When choosing the right blanket, opt for a warm, soft cashmere or wool one.

22. Plant and candle gift basket

Gift baskets are a thoughtful and heart-warming option. Create your own basket filled with a low maintenance plant, such as a succulent, along with a cozy candle, matches, and chocolates. If you're short on time, you can also buy a premade version.

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23. Beauty gift box

Self-care is the ultimate comfort gift -- and can be especially beneficial to someone going through a hard time. A beauty gift box filled with face masks, soap, body oil, and a candle can help ease their stress and pain away.

24. Sweet treat assortment

Sending an assortment box of their favorite dessert or candy can lighten up anyone's day. You can even find customized ice cream gift boxes. Each pint of this Harry and David assortment features a supportive message to let your loved one know that you're there for them. With flavors like chocolate cake and coffee caramel, this gift is bound to evoke a smile.

25. A gift card to a meal service

After losing a loved one, cooking nutritious meals might be the last thing on their mind. A thoughtful, reasonable gift you can get a family member is a gift card to a meal service. This enables them to still eat healthy, without worrying about having to cook or clean.

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Let Meal Village do the cooking for you

Meal Village delivers fresh, ready-to-go, heat-and-eat meals right to your doorstep. This way, your loved one doesn't need to worry about the chopping, cooking, or cleaning. The meals are made fresh in Meal Village's Chicago kitchen, and then are delivered the same day. All you need to do is place an order online or over the phone. Then, your loved one can enjoy delicious, healthy meals at their convenience.