Every culture has their own ways to celebrate life and death. As gift basket professionals, we love to create beautiful baskets because they celebrate happy occasions and joyfulness. But sometimes we get the occasional request for a bereavement or sympathy basket.
We’ve all lost someone dear to us. When we face the loss of parents, friends, and even pets, we grieve and mourn, and come to understand that death is merely a part of the cycle of life. When we get the call for a bereavement basket, we ask the same types of questions of you (our client) as we do when you call to order for a joyous occasion. You’d be surprised to find that many different cultures honor the deceased in different ways.
Many Christian religions approve of sending flowers, cards and gift baskets to surviving family members. As popular as flowers are to send for funerals for Christians, there are some religions where flowers are not appropriate. Judaism, Muslim, and Hindu customs are just a few. With the Buddhist religion, food gifts are not fitting, but flowers are. However, it is important to know what the etiquette is, and that white flowers should be used as their color of mourning. Using red flowers is not appropriate.
While many extended family members provide food for visiting mourners, it is often the immediate family that will need help with daily tasks and chores. Baskets that offer grab-and-go items are helpful when time is limited or refrigerator space is not available. We fill baskets with teas and coffee, dried fruits and nuts, chocolate and bottled water. These are quick and healthful.
Gourmet, non-perishable foods are a major part of the gift basket industry, but fruit is usually an approved staple to share in times of loss. And we’ll check for Kosher products and guidelines when creating a basket for the Jewish faith.
Healing Wishes
Just a few weeks before Christmas, a client of ours called to order a sympathy basket for a friend who had just lost a parent. She was distraught, and did not want the basket to reflect Christmas like many of the baskets do that time of year. With her feedback, we created a simple, sincere gesture with fruit and flowers. The family was delighted when the gift basket was delivered. It was obvious they were thankful for the gesture from their friend.
Since individual cultures mourn and grieve in different ways, here are some suggestions on items you may consider adding to bereavement gift baskets.
- Picture frames.
- Scrapbook/Memory Box
- Journals with pen
- Thank you cards, stamps, return address labels, note pad
- Book of inspirational quotes
- Books on grieving
- Chicken Soup for the Soul books
- CD of inspirational or soothing music
- Box or package of tissues or a handkerchief
- Pet supplies/products for the “fury family member(s)” that must stay home
We are often asked by our clients to help with the writing of the sympathy card. You are already at a loss for words, so below are a few tender ideas.
- Peace, prayers and blessings
- We share your loss
- Thinking of you
- With deepest sympathy
- Our sincere condolences
- In loving memory
- Healing wishes for you and your family
No matter the religion, common themes are apparent in many cultures. Humans honor and celebrate the life of the deceased. Our rituals range from sad to uplifting. Whether we honor with food, flowers, candles or prayer, the tradition of our cultures celebrate life.
