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Grief Care Packages Are Needed Now More Than Ever

The pandemic has drastically changed the way we live and interact with one another. Given social distancing is one of the best ways doctors and scientists recommend to help reduce the spread of covid, many people are wondering: how can someone who is grieving be comforted when you are unable to be with them in person? A great way to help provide support and make life a little easier for them is to send them a Grief Care Package.

What is Included in a Grief Care Package? 

gift care package

A Grief Care Package can include one or more special things that can be customized to your situation and the person who is receiving it. It typically includes different items that someone who just lost a loved one would find useful or comforting in the coming days, weeks, or even months ahead. Below are some examples of some of the most common ones.

Meals

sympathy meals

During a period of grief after losing a loved one, shopping for food and cooking can seem like an insurmountable task. Therefore, providing meals to those who are grieving is a long-held tradition and can make life easier on the person or family. This can include bringing over a meal or multiple meals for the family to enjoy, a gift card to the local grocery store delivery service, or even a restaurant delivery service such as Door Dash. This is one of the most common things that’s included in a grief care package – if you know multiple people who want to provide meals, it’s a good idea to coordinate with them in advance so the family doesn’t receive multiple lunches or dinners on the same day.

Gifts for the Grieving

grieving gifts

Following the loss of a loved one, it can be a challenge for family and friends to even get out of bed or up off the couch. Providing them with a soft weighted blanket or comfy socks can be similar to providing a hug from a distance. Additional gifts can include a young tree to grow a tree in memory of a loved one (such as Memory Gift Tree), scented candles, bath bombs, lip balm, and  lotions. There are also many other gifts to consider including in a grief care package (gift cards, books, alcohol, etc.) - it all depends who you are giving this to and what they like.

Cleaning Service

grief cleaning

With the ongoing pandemic, an indoor cleaning service can be something that not all people would prefer, however, landscaping or yard service can be a great gift for a family. You can have their lawn mowed, trees trimmed, gutters cleaned, fence painted or stained, among many other tasks. You can hire an outside service or enlist friends and/or neighbors to help carry out these chores.

Household Items

household items gifts

Even though this may seem odd to some, many people appreciate everyday items such as paper towels, laundry detergent, and hand soap, among other things. This is especially true if the person who is grieving is elderly and finds it to be a challenge to venture out to the grocery store. Head over to Costco and buy these in bulk - these items can be used by the person or family over the coming weeks or even months.

Traditional Gifts

sympathy card

In addition to providing the traditional gift of a meal, there are many other gifts that are commonly provided after the passing of someone close to family or friends. This can include sympathy cards, flowers, candy, books and other gifts that show you care. Make sure you consider who you are sending this to and if they would truly appreciate one or more of these items.

Memorial Gifts

memorial gifts

If the person who passed was cremated, another option to include in a Grief Care Package is a memorial item. This can include a Living Urn tree pod burial and planting system, a certificate to get a diamond or other cremation jewelry made with a portion of the ashes, paying for an ash scattering service, or a colorful glass decoration infused with ashes, among many other memorials. Prior to sending one of these unique memorials, it will be important to make sure this is something the family truly wants. If it is something they want or would appreciate, it can be a great gift that can take the cost burden off the family.

Donating to a Special Cause

donating sympathy

Another option in a Grief Care Package is to donate your time or money to a special cause of the person who passed or the grieving. This can be an extremely meaningful and something the family would truly appreciate.

When to Give a Grief Care Package?

Many people will provide the person or family who lost a loved one with a Grief Care Package within days of their loved one’s passing. It is also becoming more and more common to give a package on a special date or even the anniversary of their death. The grief associated with losing a loved one does not end within a few days or weeks after their passing - reminding the family that you care is important and your help will be much appreciated even weeks or months later.

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