When trying to decide what the most appropriate condolence gift or donation may be, it is challenging to know all of the customs and rituals that might be associated with a particular religion or culture. There are a variety of items to bring or send which would be meaningful gifts to express condolences to a grieving Protestant Christian family. The type of gift and the amount spent is usually dependent upon the relationship that has been shared with the deceased and family.
Here are several common ways to show respect, honor the deceased and comfort the bereaved.
Food, Meals and Sympathy Baskets
By providing meals and food baskets, family and friends take on the responsibility of providing emotional care and physical support. The Christian religion and local culture often prompts how visitation, funeral and burial services will be conducted. Many of these functions either include a time of meal or are held in ways that do not allow the family to take the time to get away and eat. Many friends and family will want to express their sympathy by providing meals and food for these important times. Be sure to check with the funeral director for the specific needs of the family.
Food baskets sent to the home after the funeral provide a meaningful way to show that the family continues to be remembered. In the early stages of grief, simple tasks like preparing meals can be challenging, stressful, even overwhelming. Providing food and meals is a thoughtful expression of compassion.
Find and Send a Condolence Gift
Select a sympathy gift that helps to comfort family and friends. You can trust eCondolence.com’s team of professionals to express your condolences appropriately. You will find the highest-quality products and items carefully selected by the eCondolence.com team that are appropriate to send family, friends, colleagues and others.
Gourmet Gifts
Baked Goods & Desserts
Fruit Baskets
Assorted Chocolates
Donations
Making a donation in someone’s memory is always an appropriate and thoughtful gesture. Donations are a meaningful way to demonstrate honor and respect. The type and amount of the donation will be affected by many factors including the relationship shared with the deceased, the circumstances of the death, an individual’s personal situation, and the traditions of religion and culture.
Many organizations accept donations in memory of an individual. Sometimes the family will recommend a charity or organization to receive gifts. Often the family’s preference will be listed in an obituary, sometimes to be offered in lieu of sending flowers.
Some possible choices to receive a donation would include the deceased’s favorite charity or religious organization. The local Christian church that the deceased attended is often a good place to direct donations and gifts.
An educational institution, perhaps the individual’s alma mater or favorite college, can be an appropriate recipient. If the deceased did not have a particular college that was special, it might be appropriate to select a local elementary, middle or high school and make a gift or contribution.
In many instances, a health care organization, hospital, nursing home or hospice care center made extraordinary efforts to care for and comfort the deceased during the final days. These organizations can use donations to enhance the services provided for others.
If a financial contribution is unrealistic at the time, many organizations would gladly accept the donation of time and service. Volunteering time in honor of the deceased is an appropriate way to pay tribute.
Cards and Notes
A sympathy card is always a meaningful source of comfort to the grieving. A professionally printed sympathy card or a handwritten personal note can provide thoughtful words to someone who is mourning. During times when spoken words may not come easily, the note of sympathy conveys respect for the deceased and empathy for the grieving.
Flowers
In Protestant Christian traditions, it is appropriate to send flowers to the funeral home, church or home of the bereaved. Flowers are considered a traditional method of acknowledging a loss. While special expressions of flowers like sprays for the casket are usually reserved as a gift from closest family, bouquets, planters and wreaths are meaningful expressions that are sensitive to the grieving family.
Funeral flower arrangements are often larger and more formal and serve as a tribute to the deceased. These are sent to the funeral home and displayed during the time of visitation. These gifts show the respect that people have for the deceased and the surviving family.
Flowers sent to the home of the family are called sympathy flowers. These arrangements are smaller and can be set on tables or cabinets. These flowers provide a keepsake that honors the deceased for many days after the funeral.
Send a Sympathy Gift Now