Unique Bereavement Gifts for a Grieving Friend or Family Member
When someone you know loses a loved one, it can seem an impossible challenge to understand how to help. Many choose to offer their condolences and assist in whatever way possible - and many others choose bereavement gifts as a way to express their condolences. Unique sympathy gifts can show a friend or a loved one that you're there during their time of loss, but how do you choose a gift that sends the right message? At OneWorld Memorials, we've broken down some of the most unique bereavement gifts you'll be able to offer and what makes them so special.
When Should I Give a Bereavement Gift?
Knowing when to offer your condolences via a unique bereavement gift can be tricky - it is a fear for many that offering a gift during this time can make the individual feel worse as it brings attention to their loss. However, condolence gifts are incredibly popular ways to show your sympathy to friends and family members, and many will understand your gesture. It's a common cultural tradition and practice, and gifts can range from food baskets and books to sculptures and jewelry.
If you're unsure whether or not to offer a sympathy gift, it may be worth checking how said gift would be received. This can be done by asking another family member or friend in close contact with the individual or even by asking the individual directly - you can mention wanting to express your sympathy with a gift but wanted to be sure it would be appropriate. This can help the affected individual know that their feelings are being considered prior to receiving a gift.
What Should I Give as a Bereavement Gift?
If you're sure that a bereavement gift is the right move, you might want to start considering your options. As previously mentioned, many stick to food baskets or books to show their sympathies. Food baskets can include chocolates, treats and many other items. Some choose cards, candles or journals to show their sympathies. However, there are many other options for bereavement gifts, including some unique sympathy gifts that can demonstrate your consideration in a one-of-a-kind way.
Keepsake Memorials
One unique option for a unique sympathy gift is to offer a keepsake memorial. These types of gifts are hand-crafted pieces that are meant to honor and memorialize the deceased, and they do so in the form of beautiful sculptures, memory boxes, candle holders and wind chimes.
Memory boxes are a beautiful option for anyone looking to offer a practical gift. These beautiful boxes are hand-crafted from high-quality materials like marble and offer a place for the grieving individual to place items and trinkets that remind them of their lost loved one inside.
Memorial candle holders commemorate lost loved ones as a reminder of a shared life and happy memories. These candle holders come in beautiful stained-glass designs and can be engraved with a message on the back. Lighting a candle and placing it inside can act as a way to feel connected to a lost loved one.
Similarly, memory lamps are generally sculptures that glow through the use of electricity. Memory lamps include stained glass designs and a light bulb that lights up when plugged into a common household outlet. With engraving, these lamps can be a solemn yet peaceful reminder of a loved one.
Wind Chimes are another beautiful approach to a memorial gift. The light sound of the chimes in the wind can remind an individual of their lost loved one in a pleasant and soothing way - a song on the wind that they can hear faintly whenever they are home.
Keepsake Urns and Cremation Jewelry
Another option for a unique bereavement gift that expresses your condolences in a personal and loving way is through the purchase of a keepsake urn or piece of cremation jewelry. Unlike keepsake memorials, keepsake urns and cremation jewelry are much more personal as they are designed to hold a small portion of cremated ashes. While many individuals may search for these items themselves, they can be a touching reminder for more intimate relationships and close friends. If you plan to purchase a keepsake urn or piece of cremation jewelry as a bereavement gift, it's recommended to ask if it would be a gift the individual would feel comfortable receiving.
Cremation Jewelry
Cremation jewelry is unique in that it is a way to keep a lost loved one close at all times. These pieces of jewelry are small urns that are designed to hold a nominal amount of ashes, which are inserted through a screw at the top, bottom or back of the pendant. Cremation jewelry comes in many forms, including discrete options as well as pieces that can be easily identified for what they are. Metals can also range from stainless steel to 14-karat gold, meaning you can choose the piece that feels most appropriate as a gift.
Keepsake Urns
Unlike traditional urns, keepsake urns are sculptures and small urns that are designed to be aesthetic reminders of a lost loved one. These types of urns only hold a small amount of ashes but can do so in a beautiful way. Keepsake urns come in a wide variety of shapes and can range from roses or hearts to songbirds and photo boxes. While a keepsake urn is designed to hold a small amount of ashes, they can also be used simply as memorial sculptures - having the option to insert ashes at any point can feel relieving for many, so the simple presence of the keepsake urn may be enough.
Finding an appropriate and unique bereavement gift can be hard, but it doesn't have to be. At OneWorld Memorials, you'll find many unique gift options that can lift someone's spirits or help remind them that they are not alone. If you have any questions about our bereavement gifts, contact us today.