Supporting Someone in Grief: Ideas for Thoughtful Bereavement Gifts
Losing a child is a heartbreaking thing to go through. It's mentally and emotionally challenging for everyone involved. As a bereaved mom, myself, I know there are truly no right words that offer comfort.
Often times even small gestures and gifts can be extremely hard to decide upon. What gift do you give someone who just lost a baby?
There are many different options when it comes to bereavement gifts, and the best choice will depend on the individual and the relationship you have with them.
Here are a few ideas to consider:
Food: A home-cooked meal or a prepared food delivery can be a practical and comforting gift for any grieving parent. You can even consider purchasing a Walmart + annual membership for the family so that they can recieve grocery delivery straight to their door.
Personalized items: A personalized memorial or piece of jewlery can be a meaningful and enduring way to honor a loved one's memory. Mother of Wilde's personalized 11" x 14" prints are a beautiful way to honor a child that has recently passed away.
Experience gifts: A gift certificate for a massage, manicure, pedicure, spa day or other relaxing self-care experience can provide a welcome distraction. There are many local options you can explore.
Basket of goodies: Putting together a basket full of your loved one's favorite things can be a sweet guesture that says, "I'm thinking of you". Items inside can include herbal teas, essential oils and a diffuser, lavender bath salts, a Hope-filled Candle, and a mug.
Book or journal: A book or journal can provide comfort, support, or inspiration and can be a welcome gift after a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. Three of our book recommendations is Grieving the Child I Never Knew, Father Gives & Father Takes Away: The Journey Home, and Holding on to Love After You've Lost a Baby: The 5 Love Languages® for Grieving Parents.
The most important thing is not the specific gift you give, but the thought and intentionality behind it.
Reach out to the grieving person and ask if there is anything specific that would be helpful or comforting to them, and be willing to listen and offer support as needed.
This article is written by Mother of Wilde founder, Moria Rooney. Moria is a wife and mother of three. She has a passion for ministering to others and sharing the love of Christ. After her son was born still, she felt a calling to serve others and to spread the word of God, and eventually decided to pursue a career in ministry. Her focus is reaching bereaved parents and families in need. Mother of Wilde offers hope, prayer, biblical encouragement, and remembrance memorials to those that have experienced pregnancy, stillbirth or child loss.