10 Thoughtful Gift Ideas When Losing a Loved One
Inside: What a better time to give Hope when losing a loved one. They are hurt and grieving, however, God promises that He is close to the brokenhearted.
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I don’t know about you, but I always have issues with figuring out what to get someone after a loss. I mean, we don’t want our gift to be insensitive, but we also don’t want to overwhelm someone with sadness if the gifts evoke emotion.
Buying gifts are hard, especially when it’s a delicate time.
Do you think it matters what type of gift in the memory of loved ones we send? What kind of gifts do you give when losing a loved one?
Losing a Loved One
If you’re like me that means either just sending a card or not giving a meaningful gift. What I forget in my lack of planning is that this could be a great time to introduce or lead someone to Jesus. The gift can be a form of ministry that will be available when the receiver is ready.
What a better time to give someone Hope than when they are hurt and grieving. God promises that He is close to the brokenhearted. God also directs us to care for the widowed and orphans, to give them love and compassion, and to lead them to the Source of all Comfort.
The thing is, we are Hope in this world. Jesus isn’t visible so we are the hope leaders to Him. We can give words of hope to lift other’s spirits, ease their weariness, and provide an outlook for a better tomorrow!
You can be the difference in someone’s faith when losing a loved one!
Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don’t give up.
~Anne Lamott
Keeping Showing Up
We show up and offer our gifts, pray and believe God will start softening hearts, because
God tells us in the Bible that He is close to the brokenhearted.
So we watch and wait. Our gifts might seem in vain, but what we can’t see is the soul-deep work.
20 I will never forget this awful time,
as I grieve over my loss.
21 Yet I still dare to hope
when I remember this:22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Finding the Perfect Gift
So many people I know are coming into this Holiday season needing to find gifts for their loved ones or friends who have experienced a recent loss. So I thought I’d put together a gift guide to help you find meaningful gifts and ideas to celebrate the life and memory of the loved one.
Will you join me in praying for peace and comfort as we approach this Holiday season?
God is the only one who can make the valley of trouble a door of hope.
~Catherine Marshall
May God give you wisdom and compassion as you gently minister in the midst of great pain!
*some helpful websites for gifts: The Comfort Company and Heart to Heart Sympathy Gifts.
If you’re looking for additional gift guides:
Encouraging your Husband in Faith
Anxiety Gift Guide
Sacred Tears: Simple Reminders That God Sees You and Loves YouGrieving the Loss of Someone You Love: Daily Meditations to Help You Through the Grieving Process
Hope When Your Heart Is Breaking: Finding God’s Presence in Your Pain
The Christian’s Journey Through Grief: How to Walk Through the Valley With Hope
Grieving with Hope: Finding Comfort as You Journey through Loss
Thank you for being so compassionate during this holiday season. I have a friend who recently funeralized her son and another whose mother passed two days ago. What a timely post. Bless you!
Calvonia- I’m so sorry for your friends’ losses! Thank you!
What beautiful gifts! I often just send a card, telling them I’m praying for them, and I do pray!
Susan- prayer is a great gift!
I love how you said we need to show up – too often people feel awkward around those who are grieving, so they back away to give space. This is a great reminder that we need to continue loving and showing up for those in the midst of grief!
Emily- thank you!
I love the windchime! This is very helpful for me, with navigating the holidays with my family this year, after the passing of my Uncle in febraury, so thank you!
Hannah- prayers for comfort and peace this Holiday season!
These are such beautiful gifts! My husband lost his brother four years ago in a motorcycle accident so the holidays are particularly hard for his family. One year they got necklaces made that had his brother’s fingerprint on it.
Melissa- I love that idea for remembering a loved one!
Great ideas. My daughter in law is facing her first Christmas without her mother. It is a sad time for her.
Alice- thank you!
These are such sweet ideas. I lot my mom 14 years ago and I know that any of these would have been appreciated that Christmas. Love it.
Sasha- thank you for your insight! I’m so sorry for your loss!
The most meaningful gift we received was from a stranger who sewed us a memory quilt for our son after he died.
These are great ideas and it is so nice to be considerate of those who struggle this time of year.
Dana- What a wonderful gift to receive! I’m so sorry for your loss!
As a mama who has lost a child, thank you for your consideration. You have many great suggestions here.
Merry- thank you!
These were beautiful gifts of remembrance. Photographs are wonderful, but sometimes you just need something tangible to hold and take with you wherever you go.
Someone gifted us a jewelry box in the shape of a heart but to open it the pieces have to break apart. Every time I see it or open it I can help but think about it’s truth. My heart breaks for the ones we’ve lost but within that heartbreak there is the treasure of knowing they are with God and that helps it heal back together.
Julie, such a great idea creating a list like this! I really like the ideas you presented here (especially that mug!).
Denise- thank you!
These are beautiful and thoughtful gifts.
Thank you, Anita!