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Writer's pictureFD Mel

Types of Gifts Beyond Flowers & Cards

How to lend a helping hand when someone dies

When someone dies, there seems to be a never-ending list of things that need to be accomplished. There are decisions to be made about the funeral itself, coordinating travel plans, and planning a luncheon for after the cemetery to name a few. If you’ve ever experienced this, you know that sometimes other things fall by the wayside. Making a healthy dinner or getting all the laundry done probably isn’t at the top of the priority list. In today’s blog, we’re going to touch on some gift ideas for friends or family who are experiencing a loss.


Meal Services

With all the planning and decision making that surrounds a death, sometimes meals and groceries are the last thing on someone’s mind. Who wants to go brave the grocery store when they’re also trying to plan a funeral? A great way to help would be setting up a meal delivery service or bringing over prepared meals. You could also find a favorite local restaurant and order take-out one night. Even something as simple as getting the needed groceries and delivering them could take a huge load of their list.


Childcare

Dealing with grief and children can be a handful, especially if you are the one planning the funeral and the primary caregiver. A helping hand with childcare can go a long way. Offer the watch the child at home while the parent makes funeral arrangements or take them to the park while their family is at the funeral home. Even older children can use a break. A special outing with a family member or close friend can help everyone, both child and parent and may help them to process their grief better.


Schedule Self-Care

When someone losses a loved one, they aren’t thinking about getting their hair done, or a manicure or facial. However, these moments of selfcare can be vastly important. After the funeral is over, invited you friend out for a manicure together, or treat them to a massage. Our body holds grief in ways we could never imagine and taking care of ourselves often falls to the wayside. By gifting a service like this, you can help your friend get back to routine and remember how important it is to take care of themselves. (Don’t forget to offer your babysitting services so this gift can be used!)


Helping Hand

Above all, the best suggestion we have is to offer a helping hand, in any way you can. That could mean showing up to help with laundry, dishes, and housework. Or taking your friend out to lunch. Even a simple phone call to chat and listen can go a long way. During times of grief, the support of those around us makes a huge difference.


At one time or another, we will all experience loss. It may be a parent, a friend or even a pet. When these things happen to those we care about, we are faced with the question “What can I do to help?” By simply being there or offering an ear to listen, we can make a big difference in someone’s grief journey? Has anyone done something for you during a hard time that made a difference in your journey? What would you do for a friend or family member who just lost a loved one?


“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm... As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”

-Audrey Hepburn

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