Gift basket to support co worker for bereavement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When MIL passed, so many people brought sweets. We froze many, and eventually tossed. The 2 things I remember were the platter of sandwiches (we devoured them - real food), and a full meal from Honey Baked Ham.

+1. My mom used to deliver sandwich platters and individual drinks (cans of soda, sparkling waters, etc) to families that she knew who were mourning. I think "real food" that can keep in the fridge for a few days is a nice and practical idea. She wouldn't stay, she would bring it over and get out of their hair (this was before all of the delivery services).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just a card. I lost my mom recently, and all of the flowers, food, and other gifts were triggering and overwhelming for my dad and me. I know people meant well, which made us feel worse for secretly not wanting them.

For the times when a charity isn't specified, and when I don't think food will be the best gift, I send flowers. I always send them to the funeral home so the family doesn't have to deal with them, and because I felt comforted at my dad's funeral looking at the flowers and reading the cards, especially for people who couldn't be there. And then the funeral home delivered everything to a local nursing home, so we knew others could enjoy them.

I don't know if this would solve the issue you identified, but I thought I would share FWIW.

[Anonymous]

I think it's sweet. Harry and David pears are great. I like the idea of soups. I was barely eating when my dad died and then when I went too long without food suddenly I was famished with no energy to prep food or get something. A neighbor had brought over sandwiches tyhe previous and OMG they were best tasting food ever and hit the spot.

[Anonymous]

100% the best thing people did for me when my mom was sick and after she died was send gift cards for Door Dash or Uber Eats.
Sending food means you have to store it. Stuff goes bad. you don't know if someone will like it or be able to eat it. I threw out a ton of stuff people sent because it was just too much or unappealing at the time.
Gift cards for food delivery make life easier. It is, hands down, the best gift to send anyone who is going through a hard time.

[Anonymous]

I usually send Spoonful of Comfort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just a card. I lost my mom recently, and all of the flowers, food, and other gifts were triggering and overwhelming for my dad and me. I know people meant well, which made us feel worse for secretly not wanting them.

For the times when a charity isn't specified, and when I don't think food will be the best gift, I send flowers. I always send them to the funeral home so the family doesn't have to deal with them, and because I felt comforted at my dad's funeral looking at the flowers and reading the cards, especially for people who couldn't be there. And then the funeral home delivered everything to a local nursing home, so we knew others could enjoy them.

I don't know if this would solve the issue you identified, but I thought I would share FWIW.

I'm the PP, and I appreciate that you shared this. People did send flowers to the funeral home, and that was nice. We chose to have them donated rather than bring them home with us, so they not only brightened up the space at the service, but they hopefully cheered up the residents of the nursing home that was their final destination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A card is enough.

As I have mentioned several times, a card is not an option. This is from a group. We aren’t all going to sign a little card together.

There are e-cards that can be signed from anywhere if you want a card. I'd do sandwich delivery + e-card so they can get personal messages.

[Anonymous]

Well-received bereavement food gifts I've sent: Spoonful of Comfort, meals from Goldbelly vendor suited for particular family (smoked salmon and bagels or soup dumplings, for instance), Harry and David quiches and fruit, Zingermann's gift boxes. I also focus on real food that keeps.

[Anonymous]

oh yeah, and DoorDash or UberEats gift cards. I've both given and received and I've found them really helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well-received bereavement food gifts I've sent: Spoonful of Comfort, meals from Goldbelly vendor suited for particular family (smoked salmon and bagels or soup dumplings, for instance), Harry and David quiches and fruit, Zingermann's gift boxes. I also focus on real food that keeps.

I wouldn't want fresh food send via mail... and no one really wants that stuff. Bagels should be fresh that day, not a few days old, same with fruit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well-received bereavement food gifts I've sent: Spoonful of Comfort, meals from Goldbelly vendor suited for particular family (smoked salmon and bagels or soup dumplings, for instance), Harry and David quiches and fruit, Zingermann's gift boxes. I also focus on real food that keeps.

I wouldn't want fresh food send via mail... and no one really wants that stuff. Bagels should be fresh that day, not a few days old, same with fruit.

NP. Speak for yourself. These gifts have been well-received.