If they don’t name a specific charity to support in the obituary, choose an organization or cause that was important to the deceased. For example, if they were an animal lover, you might donate to the ASPCA. Or, if they were an involved member at their church, make a donation there.

A pre-made basket is a great option to send too.

Any and all photos will be loved and cherished. If you can find photos of the deceased that they haven’t seen before, that can be extra meaningful.

If you knew the deceased well, write about a memory you shared with them.

If you’re not much of a cook, send them certificates for a meal preparation service like HelloFresh, or send them gift cards to a food delivery service like DoorDash or UberEats. You can also coordinate meal deliveries with others using a service like MealTrain. It’s a great idea to send your meal after the funeral. Most people are inundated with dishes when others hear of the loved one’s passing, but those meals usually stop coming once the funeral is over.

An unweighted, soft and cozy blanket is a great gift idea too. For an extra thoughtful touch, you can personalize your blanket with an inscription about the deceased or a warm message about remembering them. [7] X Research source

Clean their house. Depending on what they are comfortable with, you can hire a housecleaning service, or take care of the cleaning duties yourself. Grocery shop. You can ask to take over their regular shopping for a few weeks, whether you run to the store yourself or have the groceries delivered to their house. Transport family members around. If they have kids, they might want help taking them to school or extracurriculars while they deal with arrangements. House sit. They might need to travel for the funeral or take time away to deal with financial matters. You can offer to watch their pets, water their plants, or watch out for mail and deliveries.

A book about dealing with loss and grief is a great option that can help bring them comfort.

Toys are also great gifts for kids who are dealing with the complicated emotions of grief. Legos, slime, an art kit, or a card game are all great options that will help kids feel thought of and supported too.

You can add an inscription to the candle, or choose a soothing scent that will bring calm and healing.

If they don’t typically wear a necklace, you can choose to engrave a bracelet or ring.