Creativity and modern ideas combine to move beyond the traditional flowers as gifts for funeral services, branching into a host of original and unique sentiments. Choose something that reflects your relationship with the deceased and the grieving family and show your support with one of these alternative gifts.
You may find suggestions for In lieu of flowers gifts posted by the family. Ask at the funeral home or read through the obituary to get direction on charitable donations and other financial gifts. Show your support to the designated organization and present a card to the grieving family.
Consider supporting the grievers with a gift of food. Prepared meals, restaurant gift cards and snacks on hand help the family to make it through the difficult initial grieving time. This can be a one-time gift or an ongoing blessing, depending on the type of food. Fill their freezer with nutritious options and always keep allergies and tastes in mind. Be sure to include instructions for storage and reheating.
Think about purchasing a long lasting gift in honor of the deceased and providing the grieving family with a place to rest and remember. Plant a tree in their backyard or have a bench or memorial stone placed in a nearby park or favorite vacation spot. You can present the family with a picture of the item or take them there later on.
Photographs and art allow the grieving family to refresh their memories and you may have access to unique photos and visual memories. Spend the time to sort through your photographs and have a special shot or collection of shots framed to present to the grieving family. Hiring an artist to paint or pencil sketch the photo is also a nice gesture.
Friends and family can donate their time by providing acts of service to grievers. Many household tasks fall by the wayside during the grieving period, and offering to take care of things can be a major help. Think about the tasks you could handle and provide a certificate for the service. Remember to have them redeem it.
Think about presenting grievers with sentiments other than flowers, or supplement the traditional condolence with one of these creative options to express your love and support.
