47 Best Sympathy Gift Ideas for Anyone in Your Life Who Is Grieving

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Coping with the death of a loved one is never easy. Grief, along with the many responsibilities that arise after someone's passing, can feel heavy and all-consuming. During these moments of tremendous heartache, it's important to show those suffering loss your condolences and compassion. These thoughtful, unique sympathy gifts for friends, family members, coworkers, and more can be a great place to start.

No matter how close you are to the grieving party, comforting, healing words and a “thinking of you” message are always welcome. That’s exactly what these gifts represent. There are options to match any person in your life, with picks ranging from traditional plants to unique presents of memoriam. If you’re close to the person grieving, opt for a personalized present, such as a necklace with their loved one’s fingerprint or a cutting board with a meaningful signature recipe from the deceased. If you’re not as close, you can never go wrong with a sentimental gift basket of gourmet food or fresh flowers. No matter what you send, they will be thankful for the support during their difficult time.

The ideas below are meant to help a person heal, no matter if they're coping with the loss of a mother, the death of a pet, a close friend, or even a spouse. When words fail, these gifts can bring a sense of comfort to those who need it most.

Sympathy Gifts for Family

LED Outdoor Garden Memorial Bench

Small, sturdy, and special, this bench (that looks like concrete but is made of resin) is a great gift for someone in mourning. The gift recipient can place it outside, and enjoy it both day and night, thanks to the solar powered lights that illuminate it after the sun goes down.

Memorial Tree Decor

This decorative wooden plaque, featuring a saying of remembrance, is a great memorial they can display at home. It reads: "A limb has fallen from the family tree. I keep hearing a voice that says, 'Grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song, the good life I lived while I was strong.'"

Butterfly Remembrance Necklace

Butterflies symbolize hope, rebirth, and transformation. After losing someone as significant as a mother, this butterfly necklace can help the grieving child to remember there's still hope. For those who believe in an afterlife, the butterfly represents a great, new adventure on the other side.

Someone You Love Memory Cross With Candle

This memorial set will stay around long after gifts of flowers or food, meaning your condolences will continue to offer hope and inspiration day after day. This cross and candle set can be purchased together, or as the cross-only, and can be used indoors or outdoors.

Compassion Blanket

In addition to your love and support, you can help wrap your family in a blanket of compassion such as this one. Soft and cozy, it can be draped over a couch, chair, or used while lounging. Its sweet messages of strength, courage, and warm hugs will comfort your loved one when they need it most, even when you can't be there to do it in person.

Hand Carved Stone Reminders for Each Passing Season

This heartfelt sympathy gift — beautifully packaged and set in a box with a thoughtful message — comes with four colorful hearts made of hand-carved glass. Each represents a different season, so the recipient can carry the love of those passed with them throughout their daily life.

Unique Sympathy Gifts

Heart-Shaped Weighted Pillow

For those who respond more to affection than words of affirmation, gift them this weighted pillow in the shape of a heart for them to hug whenever they're missing their loved one. They can even spray it with their loved one's cologne or perfume for better soothing. At 11 x 2 x 10 inches, it's the perfect size decor pillow to add to their couch or bed.

RELATED: Best Cozy Gift Ideas for Her and Him

Name A Star

Memorialize the light of their life with a star named after their beloved. Registration of the star comes with a gift set and fact sheet about their celestial body that can also be viewed via the Planetarium app. Best of all, the star is guaranteed to be visible to the naked eye, so they can spot it whenever they look to the night sky.

Glass Keepsake Gift Jar with Sympathy Messages

During the grief process, it's normal to have down days. That's where these little notes come in handy. Each card includes a nice message that will bring a smile to their face and encourage them to keep going. As one reviewer said, "The notes themselves are cute, sincerely thought-provoking, and become a daily hug... with each note read."

Pennies from Heaven Wood Piggy Bank

The notion behind this piggy bank is that pennies found in your daily life are gifts from your late loved ones. Collect them all in one special place with this 'Pennies from Heaven' piggy bank.

Flameless Memorial Lantern

Warm the heart and light the dark with a memorial lantern for their loved one. Choose from white and rustic wood options. The lantern comes with a battery-powered, flameless LED candle that runs on an automatic timer.

Sympathy Wind Chimes for Loss of a Loved One

Every time these memorial wind chimes move in the breeze, your gift recipient will remember their lost loved one. The chimes are made from pinewood and anodized aluminum that's resistant to corrosion. Securely packaged in an elegant box with a 'Letter From Heaven' poem, this item makes for a long-lasting gift.

'Your Wings Were Ready But My Heart Was Not' Ornament

When the holidays roll around, they can honor their loved one by hanging this ornament on the Christmas tree. It comes in a red velvet gift bag and hangs from a silk ribbon. The quote, "Your wings were ready, but my heart was not," is validating for how one might feel, especially during the family-focused holiday season.

Sympathy Gift Baskets

Sympathy Gift Basket

Offer your thoughts and prayers to a grieving friend or family member through the comfort of their stomach. This Wine Country gift basket has plenty of snacks for them to share with visitors or bite into when they're alone. The basket comes with crackers, a cheese spread, chocolate squares, chocolate truffles, madeleine cakes, mixed olives, and more.

Pork and Chicken Mini Pot Pies

There's a reason why people bring over casseroles when someone passes — often their bereaved family members can't find the time or energy to cook. Now, you can send four comforting meals right to their door with this two pork/two chicken mini pot pie gift.

Tea Gift Box

Tea can warm the heart (and soul). This beautiful set includes a ceramic mug, cozy white socks, cedarwood chai tea, cinnamon sticks, and a mini honey jar. All of which are meant to serve as a hug in a mug.

With Sympathy Orchard Delight Fruit and Gourmet Gift Basket

This 17-piece gift basket has something for everyone. It's the perfect gift to bring to a funeral or leave on someone's doorstep during their time of loss. Chocolate, fruits, nuts and fruit preserve will surely provide sustenance and comfort.

Care Package Box

If grief is hitting extra hard, curling up under a blanket in a pair of fuzzy socks with a candle burning may help. This box contains all that and more — including a tumbler with the encouraging phrase, "Life is tough, but so are you."

Mental Health Care Package

After losing someone, it can be hard to focus on yourself at all. This "mental wealth" subscription box will help those struggling to re-focus on self-care. Grief is tough, but this single-send box can help them begin to piece their life back together.

Sympathy Gifts for a Friend

Angel Figurine Tealight Candle Holder

If your loved one is religious, they may appreciate this angel candle holder. It has a peaceful aura to it, with the angel praying and watching over the light of your loved one.

Memorial Flower Vase With Sympathy Verse

Since so many mourners are sent flowers, a vase is a great alternative gift. Not only is this glass vase beautiful, it also carries a sweet message about lasting memories: "Those we love don't go away... they walk beside us every day — unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear."

RELATED: Comforting and Uplifting Bible Verses for Funerals

Prayer Wood Plaque

Perhaps, you know someone who has lost a father. This wooden plaque carries with it a sweet prayer for a child who is missing their Dad. Choose from two different size options to fit their home.

Amethyst Bead Bracelet

Many believe the crystal amethyst has healing properties. Whether that's true or not, this pretty bracelet will be a reminder to anyone grieving that they are loved and cherished by the person who gifted it.

RELATED: Crystals for Beginners: 5 to Start With and How to Use Them

Handmade Pregnancy Loss Necklace

Pregnancy loss can be a painful and devastating experience for many families. This handmade necklace makes a great gift for mourning mothers. Not only does it show the recipient you're thinking of their family, but it also allows them to have a tangible memory of their baby that is now up in heaven.

Mug With Quote

Offer them a cup of love when they need it most. The mug features a sweet quote: "This mug is a hug from me to you." The simple gesture shows your loved one that you're always there to support them, through both the highs and lows.

Thinking of You Candle

This candle offers a sweet message and a lulling aromatherapy scent for those working through their grief. Calming lavender, soothing chamomile, and comforting quartz are all included in the mix, producing a tranquil scent to appease the senses.

Personalized Sympathy Gifts

Two Stone Oval Birthstone Pave Band Gold Ring

This customizable birthstone ring acts as a reminder of their loved one that they can wear daily or when they miss them most. All you'll need to know is their birth month and the birth month of their loved one. The ring is available in sizes 5-9 with 1-3 birthstone options.

Condolences Custom Star Map

A great way to remember someone who has passed is with a personalized star map that depicts the night sky on the day they were born. A celebration of life, this unique condolence gift can be personalized even further. You can select the background color, shape, font, text, name, date, location, and whether or not to include coordinates. Once you have your customizations in mind, pick your preferred size in either an unframed print or a white, black, brown, or natural frame.

Personalized Handwritten Recipe Cutting Board

If the person who passed had a signature recipe, gift their loved one a personalized cutting board with the recipe engraved. Though the person they love is gone, their memory will live on through food shared with family and friends.

Personalized Handwriting Bracelet

Have a note or signature from a loved one? Turn it into a one-of-a-kind bracelet for under $30. Simply send an image of the handwritten message to the brand, and a custom bracelet will be delivered in no time.

Personalized Thumbprint Engraved Heart Necklace

What's more meaningful than a symbol of their lasting influence on your heart? This personalized fingerprint necklace is a great way to memorialize military members and other loved ones. The necklace comes in a variety of shapes with the text of your choice.

Photo Necklace

These gold or silver necklaces can be personalized with a photo, similar to a locket, to keep their loved one (or beloved pet) near. They are made from stainless steel and come with an 18-inch chain and 2-inch extender.

Sympathy Gifts for the Loss of a Pet

In Loving Memory Personalized Memorial Pet Stone

This personalized pet stone will make a thoughtful addition to their yard or garden. At 1.5 x 11.5 x 7.5 inches, the hollow, resin stone is easy to move. Choose between a paw symbol or cat silhouette to fit their furry friend.

Personalized Pet Memorial Art

If you're gifting with a bigger budget, consider purchasing a custom pet portrait. Simply upload a picture of their furry friend, and a watercolor-like digital rendering will be delivered to them. You can even add up to three lines of text, such as their pet's name, birthdate, and a heartfelt message.

Pet Memory Flower Garden Kit

Commemorate their pet's life with a gift that'll bloom in their honor year after year. The flower kit includes premixed soil, wildflower seeds, metal cut-outs, and a wood rolling pin. Best of all, the flowers are pet-friendly, so other furry friends can enjoy.

Wooden Carving Dog Memorial Gift for Women

Losing a family pet can be gut-wrenching, but this wooden carving can help keep their fur baby's memory alive. Place the beechwood and walnut wood figures on a nightstand, mantel, or bookshelf to remember forever. The set features a dog and human, fit together like two puzzle pieces, along with a meaningful quote: "Once by my side. Forever in my heart."

Personalized Pet Portrait Necklace

We love this sympathy gift because it's personalized and offers a beautiful way to honor a beloved pet. Though their dog or cat has crossed the rainbow bridge to a better place, this custom pendant, featuring the pet's name and portrait, can be worn in memoriam. Choose from gold, rose gold, or silver. Simply provide a name and image of the late pet for a custom, one-of-a-kind gift.

Sympathy Gift Plants

Succulent Plant 9-Inch Concrete Heart-Shaped Planter

For a beautiful gift that will last long after the funeral and visitation, opt for a succulent planter in the shape of a heart. They can place it on their desk, table, or mantel as a sweet reminder of their loved one.

Plant With Love Memorial Tree

A meaningful gift to give to someone who is grieving, this memorial tree is a nice reminder that after loss, there can still be life. Provide the zip code of your recipient, and expert growers will choose the best variety of tree for their climate. Choose from two messages for the included card, or customize your own. They'll receive a sustainably grown sapling, along with planting and care instructions.

Petite White Orchid

For a friend or colleague who is grieving, this beautiful potted orchid is a thoughtful gift. Nicknamed the beginner orchid, this popular variety is one of the easiest orchids to grow as a houseplant — a definite plus.

Forever Remembered Bliss Garden Gift Set

Send along a hug in a box with this sympathy gift set. The thoughtful pairing of a citrus lotus blossom-scented candle and a live succulent will help keep the memory of their loved one alive.

Heartfelt Memory Rose Plant

Flowers are a classic sympathy gift, especially white flowers which often symbolize mourning. This pretty bouquet will brighten the day of your grieving loved one. When it arrives at their door, they'll be glad to know you were thinking of them.

RELATED: Flowers and Their Meanings About Love and Strength

Helpful Sympathy Gifts

'Kind Words for Unkind Days: A guide to surviving and thriving in difficult times'

There is no one-size-fits-all for dealing with grief, but there are lots of small actions one can take to uplift their spirits. That's what Jayne Hardy's book is about. It's filled with helpful advice and supportive messages to read during tough times, that make hard days a little easier.

'Welcome to the Grief Club: Because You Don't Have to Go Through It Alone'

Grieving can feel isolating, especially when you've experienced a loss that no one you know has gone through yet, such as the passing of a parent or sibling. That's why Janine Kwoh's book makes an excellent companion for those who are suffering in silence.

The Grief Deck: Rituals, Meditations, and Tools for Moving Through Loss

This kit offers mourners steps for navigating their grief, no matter where they may be in the process of understanding their loss. Comprised of 60 illustrated cards, this gift is a thoughtful way to help address grief while also showing how much you care.

'Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief'

Help the grieving friend or family member in your life work through their loss with this book that contains inspiring daily meditations to help comfort and encourage resilience. There's no cure for grief, but soothing words can certainly lend a hand.

RELATED: Empowering Self-Help Books

Guided Grief Journal

This journal will help your loved one navigate through tough feelings, as they fill out pages about the person they lost. Included prompts ask them to jot down words that describe their loved one and depict happy memories they shared. Sometimes the best way to grieve is to remember the good times, and this notebook will help them do just that.

You Might Also Like

• Oprah’s Favorite Things Of 2022 Is Here—Gift These 20 Amazing Finds This Year

• 40 Best Sentimental Gift Ideas for Loved Ones

• Jennifer Aniston‘s Secret to Glowy Skin On-Screen