3 Meaningful condolence gifts for grieving loved ones

A gift for a parent who just lost a child is probably one of the most difficult gifts to give. While simply spending quality time with someone who is grieving is a great way to support them, often the right gift can also offer some comfort.

"Giving a gift isn't necessary. But during a time of mourning, especially the death of a child, giving a gift is memorable", says Moria Rooney, Founder of Mother of Wilde. "When you can't physically be there for a loved one, a gift carries significant weight and meaning."

Sending a floral arrangement or a plant when someone has passed away is a traditional gift choice. Choosing a custom gift that intentionally honors the memory of their son or daughter is priceless.

Here are 3 of the best gifts of 2022 for people coping with the loss of a child.

1. Custom Photo Print - $39

A photo remembrance print is one of our favorite ways to honor the memory of a child. Through Mother of Wilde's easy-to-use service, you can have a custom 11"x14" memorial print shipped anywhere in the country in 2-3 days. Choose from 20 template designs for any type of baby or child loss. Every print is one-of-a-kind and custom to each child. This is a cherished gift idea for any grieving parent. Create a custom print here.

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2. Handwritten Keepsake - $39 If you are looking for unique sympathy gifts, then a handwriting keepsake is a gift that will be remembered. Mother of Wilde offers a timeless way to preserve a special note or drawing by turning it into a premium art piece that you can frame. By using museum-quality, archival paper, your sentimental notes will be preserved for years to come. Click here to shop their handwritten keepsakes.

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3. Personalized Apparel - $43

Send a personalized sweatshirt or t-shirt to someone grieving. Mother of Wilde offers neutral-colored apparel, all uni-sex fit that can be gifted to bereaved moms or dads. The Classic Name Sweatshirt is a best seller. This fleece pullover comes personalized with the child's name and birth date. Sizes range from small to 3XL in most of their remembrance apparel.

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Whether you choose a gift that helps your friend through the grieving process or one that honors the memory of their loved one, remember that condolence gifts are a symbol of your support, acknowledgment, and love.

Mother of Wilde was created by bereaved parents to honor their son, Noah Wilde, who was born silently on March 9, 2021. Their North Carolina company specializes in custom photo prints for miscarriage, stillbirth, infant, and child loss. Their products have reached bereaved moms and dads across the country and internationally. Learn more about our ministry's mission.

Offering comfort and support to newly bereaved parents

It is difficult to know what to say to someone who has lost a baby. Depending on whether they had a stillbirth, miscarriage, or lost a child at an older age, you may start researching your initial questions to better understand and empathize with their tragedy. Coming from a mom who had a stillbirth in March 2021, there are no right things to say; but I can certainly appreciate friends and family that have wanted to educate themselves as we grieve our son.

Here are some questions to better understand miscarriage:

• What is a miscarriage?

• What causes miscarriage?

• How long does a miscarriage last?

• What does a miscarriage feel like?

Here are some questions to better understand stillbirth:

• How do I offer stillbirth support?

• What are the signs of stillbirth?

• What causes a baby to be stillborn?

• How do you honor a stillborn baby?

These may be just a few of the questions you Google after hearing about the loss of a child. Regardless of the age of the child at death, there are some things we all should know - what to say to a loved one, how to honor their baby, and what to give someone who lost a child.

Mother of Wilde can help with care packages and resources for those suffering a loss. Our baby memorial gifts and stillbirth gifts offer comfort and support to newly bereaved parents and grandparents. We connect daily with families that have lost a child and offer hope in heartache. All of our keepsakes are completely custom to each child. Learn more about our ministry's mission and how we support bereaved mothers and fathers.

Read more of our blogs about honoring mothers, staying faithful in seasons of grief, and how to support families through stillbirth.

11 things you can do to remember a child who passed away

You never get over the loss of a child. Most mothers and fathers I've talked to would dare to say they never want to get over their baby's death. Bereaved parents have survived a type of loss that many people would call "the unimaginable". But truthfully the unimaginable happens more often than people realize.

Out of 100 women, there will be one child born still.

That's 24,00 babies annually just in the United States.

One stillbirth occurs in the world every 16 seconds.

That's 2 million stillbirths annually.

Out of 5 women, there will be one child who doesn't make it through pregnancy.

That's 750,000 to a million babies annually just in the United States.

One miscarriage occurs every 44 minutes.

15% of all pregnancies will end in miscarriage.

That's an estimated 23 million pregnancies worldwide end in miscarriage each year and those statistics are just what has been reported.

Out of 10 births, there will be one preterm baby.

That's nearly 15 million premature babies annually.

1 million of those preterm babies won't make it due to complications of preterm birth. These complications are the leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age.

Now that we are more educated on statistics, let's talk about ways we can keep their memory alive.

Here are 11 things you can do to remember your little one:

1. Make an ornament for your Christmas tree. Fill the ornament with glitter, their infant hat, or something special to you and paint their name on it.

2. Plant their birth flower in your yard and each year you can watch it bloom. If you prefer trees, plant a fruit tree like blueberry or raspberry. Each year it will grow bigger and produce more fruit each year.

3. Buy one of our personalized leather keychains with your child's name. They come custom with first name, middle name, or birthdate.

4. Create a puzzle with your child's photo and put it together as a family. Companies like Shutterfly allow you to quickly submit a picture and ship it straight to your home.

5. When you send cards from your family, be sure to include your child's name on them. Mention them in Holiday cards, Birthday cards, and more.

6. Make dry flower art. Simply dry out your child's birth flower or some of your favorite flowers, then frame them in a floating picture frame. You can even use flower arrangements that were sent to you on behalf of your child's passing.

7. If you have other children, you can create a picture book to read at bedtime. It could include photos and names of every person in the family or even be a letter from your angel baby to your living children.

8. Order a remembrance print of your child and hang it in your house. When people visit your home, it will open up conversations to talk about their life.

9. Get creative and make some drink coasters for your home out of resin. Use fresh flowers, dyes, glitter, beads, photos, and more. Visit your local craft shop like Hobby Lobby for molds and epoxy.

10. Create a Spotify playlist of songs that remind you of your baby.

11. Each year write a letter to your baby in heaven. Read all of your letters on their birthday every year.

We hope you enjoy these 11 things you can do with your family, spouse or living children to honor your angel baby. If you have other unique ideas on how to celebrate send them our way.

Click here to read more of our blogs on motherhood and fatherhood. Mother of Wilde is the place bereaved parents turn for positive inspiration and heartfelt support in loss and faith.