40 Appropriate Sympathy Gifts to Give Someone Who's Grieving

During the grief process, it's normal to have down days. But these little notes could help lift someone back up. They carry nice messages that will bring a smile to one's face and encourage them to keep going. As one reviewer said, "The notes themselves are cute, sincerely thought-provoking and become a daily hug...with each note read."

Since so many mourners are sent flowers, a vase makes a great alternative gift as well. Not only is this glass vase attractive, it also carries a sweet message about lasting memories.

If your loved one is religious, they may appreciate this angel candle holder. It has a peaceful vibe to it, with the angel praying and watching over the burning light.

Maybe someone recently lost the cook in their lives, which makes this the perfect gift. The cutting board can be inscribed with a personalized recipe from grandma, grandpa, mom, dad, or anyone else. Though the person they love is gone, their memory will live on through the food they shared.

Perhaps you know someone who lost a father. This wooden plaque carries with it a sweet prayer for a child who is missing their dad. Choose from 2 different sizes.

Small, sturdy and special, this bench (which looks like concrete, but is made of resin) is a great gift for someone who is mourning. Some assembly is required, but instructions are provided. The gift recipient can put this outside as an opportunity to sit and talk about the loved one they lost. One reviewer notes: "Small but perfect for small garden area."

For the Christian loved one who is grieving. this wooden cross pre-filled with succulents is truly a nice gesture. Don't worry if they don't have a green thumb to take care of this display. Succulents are fairly easy to care for. This arrangement can lay on a coffee table or outside on a patio.

Every time these Memorial Wind Chimes motion with a soothing tone, your gift recipient can remember their lost loved one. While its wood parts are made from pinewood, its tubes are made of anodized aluminum that's also resistant to corrosion. Securely packaged in an elegant box and including a Letter From Heaven Sympathy Card (that's blank inside waiting for your special message), this item makes for a long-lasting gift.

When Christmas rolls around, one of the best ways to honor a loved one is to hang this personalized ornament. Add the person's name and years they lived. The quote, "Your wings were ready but my heart was not," is also validating for how one might feel, and sometimes that's comfort enough.

The notion behind this piggy bank is that any pennies you find randomly throughout the day are little gifts from your late loved ones. Now you can collect the coins in one special place.

If you need more space than just a small piece of jewelry, this blanket offers a letter's worth of words turned into comfy fabric for snuggling. Imagine wrapping yourself up in the nicest message your mother or father has ever sent you. It's like a hug from them.

How about a tree that one doesn't have to water at all? This wooden plaque featuring a beautiful saying is a great memorial to display in your home. It reads, "A limb has fallen from the family tree. I keep hearing a voice that says, 'Grieve not for me. REMEMBER THE BEST TIMES, the laughter, the song, the good life I lived while I was strong.'"

Another great way to remember someone is with a star map that shows the night sky the way it looked when the person one's grieving was born. Celebrating one's life, this unique condolence gift can also be personalized further. Choose the font, add a caption (some are suggested in the Etsy listing), location (by zip code), and whether or not to include a compass. Once you have your customizations in mind, pick from 3 print options at checkout: digital download, printed on wood, or printed framed or unframed.

Warm the heart and light the darkness with a customizable memorial lantern for someone special experiencing the loss of their mother. Pick a quote to engrave, plus the deceased person's name and years of life. The flame-free lantern comes with a flameless LED candle that runs on an automatic timer. Gift with batteries, which are not included.

Many believe that amethyst has healing properties. Whether that's true or not, this pretty bracelet will be a reminder to anyone grieving that they're loved and cherished by the person who gave the gift to them.

Butterflies symbolize hope, rebirth, and transformation. After losing someone as significant as a mother, this butterfly necklace will help the child who's grieving to remember that there is hope in life, still. And for those who believe in some form of an afterlife, the butterfly can represent the next great adventure that their mother is on.

This dainty bracelet can be customized with a note in someone's handwriting. It's a great way to memorialize a sweet message from a lost loved one.

These gold or silver necklaces can be personalized with a photo, so it's kind of like a locket, except the picture is viewable all the time. It'll mean a lot to the recipient to be able to display their loved one's photo in this way.

A dog tag reminiscent of one that soldiers wear in combat, this modern version will keep a loved one's memory alive. Worn close to your heart, this necklace also works as an urn and can house a small amount of someone's remains if cremated or even a lock of hair (or fur if you've lost a pet).

Help the grieving friend or family member in your life with this book. It contains inspiring daily meditations to help grant comfort encourage resilience. There's no cure for grief, but these words can certainly lend some aid.

The author of this book shared their own grief journey in the hope that it would help others struggling with similar feelings. Each page is meant to make people feel less alone in their mourning.

Grief can come in different forms. This illustrated deck of cards will help your loved one navigate and process their grief and healing. The cards feature insights and suggestions on honoring lost loved ones, resources to tap into when needed, and even actions to keep going every step of the way.

Losing a beloved pet can be gut-wrenching, and a special piece to display on a shelf or bedside table helps keep your fur baby's memory alive. This gift, which is made of beech and walnut wood, features a dog and his or her human together as a puzzle with two pieces, along with a meaningful quote. There are six different designs to choose from, any of which will make for a lovely sentimental decoration in any room of a home.

We love this sympathy gift because it's personalized and offers a beautiful way to honor a beloved pet. Though your dog or cat has crossed the rainbow bridge, this custom pendant featuring the pet's name and portrait can be worn in memory. Choose from gold, rose gold, silver, and stainless steel. You'll simply need to provide the late pet's photo for the Etsy vendor to create.

Send along a hug in a box with this sympathy gift set. The set comes with things like a candle, succulent, comfort stone, and mug. When the gift's receiver opens the box, they'll instantly feel so loved.

Flowers are a classic sympathy gift, and white flowers especially are often used to symbolize mourning. This pretty bouquet will brighten the day of your grieving loved one. When it arrives at their door, they'll be glad to know you were thinking of them.

In addition to your love and support, you can help wrap your friend in a compassion blanket like this one. Soft and cozy, this one can be draped over a couch or chair and used as a tote blanket. Its sweet messages of strength, courage and warm hugs will comfort your loved one when they need it most, even if you can't be there in person.

This unique sympathy gift—beautifully packed and set in a box with a thoughtful message—comes with four colorful hearts made of hand-carved glass. With each heart representing one of the four seasons of the year, the recipient can cherish moments from each long after a loved one is gone.

We sometimes forget that kids mourn, too. This companion teddy bear is a good choice to give a child who's also in mourning. Big enough to hug and soft enough to comfort, this jumbo-sized stuffed animal features corduroy ears and a fabric bookmark with a sweet message.

Give someone a cup of love, whenever they need it most. This mug features the sweet quote: "This mug is a hug from me to you." The simple gesture tells your loved one who is suffering that you're always there to support them.

There's a reason that people bring over casseroles when someone dies—often their bereaved family members can't find the time or energy to cook. Now, you can send fresh meals right to a grieving person's door with Freshly. The subscriptions offer 4-12 meals per week, depending on what you think is the best fit.

Send a sweet treat to someone in need. This gift basket comes jam-packed with all kinds of gourmet goodies, from Hammond's cookies to Ghirardelli Milk & Caramel Chocolates, hot cocoa, and more.

Soup can warm the heart and the soul. This set includes a bowl of comfort in the form of a sensational soup, which can serve 4 to 6. A half-dozen bacci rolls, a half-dozen cookies, an ornate ladle for longterm use, and a personalized note card add a nice, necessary touch. The packaging for this set is also so beautifully done.

A 17-piece gift basket which has something edible for everyone in the family is just what to bring to the funeral or leave on the counter during moments of loss. Chocolates, fruits, nuts and preserved fruits will provide sustenance and comfort.

Never underestimate the power of food to give comfort. A Goldbelly gift card will be a welcomed gesture, especially if your gift recipient chooses a meal or treat that reminds them of their loved one that they're mourning. And if you're not familiar with Goldbelly, it's a food shipping merchant where you can get delicious eats sent from popular spots all over the country.

When people are mourning, they may not have the capacity to plan a meal for their family. This sirloin meal from Harry & David eliminates that chore. This one comes with two top sirloin filets, four baked potato halves, one cheesecake and a gift insert that says "With Sympathy."

This journal will help your loved one fill out pages about the person they lost, from words that describe them to happy memories they shared. Sometimes the best way to grieve is to remember the good times, and this notebook will let them do just that.

If grief is hitting extra hard, getting cozy in a pair of fuzzy socks, lighting a candle, and snuggling under a blanket may help some. This box contains all that and more — including a tumbler with the encouraging phrase, "Life is tough, but so are you."

After losing someone, it can be hard to focus on yourself at all. This "mental wealth" box will help those struggling to re-center and focus on some self-care. Grief is tough, and they deserve a bit of a break when they need it.