Grief & bereavement can be an extremely stressful and debilitating emotions for most. Have you or someone you know lost a precious loved one in death? Planet Gift Baskets offers many helpful tips and resources to help you get through this difficult time. We have searched the internet for helpful information to help you or your loved one heal from this tragic experience.If someone has gone above and beyond for you during your time of need, it may be wise to send a thank you gift basketor gift. Again, they are not expecting anything from you but, no doubt, you want to show your heartfelt appreciation for their comfort and care. Many versions of thank you baskets are available from very inexpensive to elaborate. Choose a gift that fits your budget and lifestyle. There is no need to go overboard with these types of gifts.
Another good idea, would be to send a poem by email or mail. If you are short on energy or time you can simply photo copy the poem and send it through the mail. This will prevent you from having to write out each and every note card to express your thanks. Click herefor some good resources on writing sympathy thank yous.
However and whenever you wish to say thank you to all that have expressed their sympathy to you, make sure you do it on your terms. It should never be a stressful process.
Top Three Sympathy Gifts For Close Family Members
Sending sympathy giftsto family members is a good way to show your empathy for their loss. We have chosen the top three gift baskets to send to a close family member. We have taken care to design these gifts with personal keepsakes that they can cherish and use long after the gourmet foods are gone.
- Blessings In a Basketmakes a perfect inspirational sympathy gift. It is filled with top quality products but also contains a Little Book Of Blessings. This small gift book is designed to offer comfort and encouragement during this stressful and difficult time.
- In Loving Memorysympathy gift contains healthy and satisfying gourmet foods for them to enjoy. A sentimental pocket coin is included wishing them joy and peace. This is a great gift to send to someone you have a close personal relationship with.
- Healing Lavenderspa gift basket should only be sent to someone you know well. Luxurious and healing lavender products can help soothe aching muscles and sleepless nights brought on by extreme stress.
Resources For The Grieving
Memorial Jewelry
How To Show Sympathy To A Man That Is Grieving
It is imperative that loved ones of men that have lost a loved one know that men and women express grief differently. Women lean on family and friends and may shed many tears. Men, however do not usually grieve this way. They become quiet and may not express their grief in visible ways. You may notice him involved deeply in a project or a new venture. We may feel awkward to express our sympathy which may end of isolating him even more. Some men value their privacy during this time so how can you help him through this difficult time without bringing his emotions in the spotlight?
- First, deal with your feelings. You may be feeling anxiety because you have never seen him act the way he is during this grief period. This will help make sure you do not pass your own feelings off as his.
- Realize that some men may not show very much emotion. Know that your man is grieving even though it may take a form you do not recognize.
- Offer your sympathy in a short, brief card or sympathy gift basket. Let them know you are there for him when he needs you.
- Call or write every so often to make sure he is avoiding isolation.
How To Write A Sympathy Card
Writing a sympathy card can be uncomfortable at times. We may not know what to say or fear we are not saying enough. A sympathy card should be brief but heartfelt. The bereaved probably do not have the strength or time to read a lengthy message. Following are a few heartfelt lines you may be able to use when drafting out your sympathy card.
Just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you during this difficult time.
You are in our prayers. Know that we are thinking of you.
I’m sorry for your loss, it’s never easy.
I wish there was something I could say to ease your pain, please know we are thinking of you.
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your ________.
I will be here when you need me, until then know that I’m thinking of you daily.
If you need a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen, I’m here for you.
Beautiful Grief Comfort Kit
Bereavement Poem
Here is a wonderful poem written by Susan Kroeker
Time
It’s difficult to say goodbye
When love so long has lived
The days and hours and memories shared
Bring sadness home to bid
I knew this day would come
Although I tried to make it not
When one of us would part
And leave the other caught
And though we talked about those times
I really thought it would be long
But time has crept and come
And now my love your gone
I’m thankful for the days we laughed
The love we shared will not soon be forgotten
I’ll treasure every memory played
A gift from heaven now to open
I‘ll think upon the happy thoughts
The smiles and laughs we shared
I’ll think of all the treasures you have left me
I know how much you cared
The joys and sorrows that made our life
A journey that can not end
I’ll keep you alive in my heart.
Until that day when I join you again
Words Of Comfort
While searching the net for helpful sympathy and bereavement information, I found a great website called Words Of Condolence. It features great information about what to say when someone loses a loved one. It also expresses what NOT to say. Here is an a sample sympathy card from this resource.
“Dear (name),
I am sorry to hear about (deceased name)’s death. We are still in shock, especially that we just had the hiking trip last weekend. I remember that we were already planning for the next hiking trip, and he already had more people in mind to take to the trip. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a spouse, much more at the peak of his career. We will definitely miss him. Our colleagues are also extending their deepest sympathies to you and your family.I have inserted some of our weekend hiking photos with (deceased name). I hope his smiles will somehow bring back good memories.
You and your family will always be in my prayers.”
New Personalized Sympathy Gifts
Offer Sympathy Through A Home Cooked Meal
June 28th, 2009Do you know someone that has lost a loved one in death recently. No doubt, they are going through a stressful and mentally challenging time. To help them cope with such pain, it is tradition to send a meal or a sympathy gift. Here is a great recipe for a quick and easy sympathy meal you can send to the family in need. We have created this recipe to help you choose a meal that can easily be prepared for your family and packed for theirs. Click here to get the recipe for this healthy sympathy meal.
Give The Gift Of A Memorial Tree
June 17th, 2009
Losing a loved one is by far, the most difficult thing many people will face in their lives. Being there and offering your sympathy to these people can be difficult and/or awkward. Sometimes, as family and friends, we just don’t know what to say or send them in their time of need. Becoming more and more popular are sympathy gifts with real meaning. Memorial trees are given and planted in memory of the loved one that has passed. As the tree grows, so does their remembrance for the person that has died. The tree may be planted at the home of the deceased, the home of a family member or at a local park or community center. Some communities have a Plant-A-Tree program available that lets you plant a tree along with others that have done the same. In Round Rock, Texas a memorial tree program has been implemented to honor loved ones. For $150.00 the city will provide the tree as well as the care and maintenance to ensure the longevity of the planted trees. This is a good option if your family member or friend cannot care and maintain the memorial tree. It may be wise to contact your city hall to see if there is a similar program in your area. What a great way to honor a lost loved one.
Offering Sympathy To Grieving Children
June 13th, 2009After the death of a loved one there is much grief. Adults and children respond to that grief differently. Younger children may view the death as temporary or reversible. They do not grasp the finality of death. School age children begin to view death much like adults but do not feel it can happen to them or someone they love. Because children view death differently than adults they should never be forced to attend a funeral if they are scared to go. Let them deal with the death on their own terms such as drawing a picture, writing a letter or making a scrapbook.
Older children tend to feel grief more like adults. Let them know that their feelings are normal and that anger is natural. These types of feelings may come out in unexpected ways such as hyper activity, insomnia, nightmares and other behaviors not usual for their persona. Realize that these behaviors are grief related. Try to spend as much time as possible with the child and be there for them when they need it.
Some children may show signs of difficulty dealing with a death for an extended period of time. They may experience depression, acting younger than their age, withdrawal and mood swings. If this is the case for an extended period of time, professional help may be needed.