The 15 Best Sympathy Gifts of 2020

It’s so easy for someone to neglect physical and mental needs when they’re grieving. Why not gift your friend or loved one a bit of relaxation with this Sunrise Soap Company Basic Bubble Box. The brand is known for their handmade bath and body products. The Bubble Box includes some of the company’s top sellers like luxury soaps, hand whipped lotion, organic body scrub, body butter, and a bath bomb. This is a single gift that your recipient can use and enjoy for several relaxing bath and beauty sessions.

It’s likely that your friend has received plenty of flowers already. Instead of a bouquet, make your gift stand out by sending a succulent gift set. The succulent will last so much longer than a dozen flowers and requires minimal care. This set from Etsy features a succulent in a small ceramic pot, a three ounce candle, and a printed match box. You even have the option to add on a few options like bath bombs and a loofah.

Music can have a big impact on stress and emotions, which is why a wind chime can serve as a calming gift after a death. This wind chime isn’t just a piece of decor to hang outside of a window or on a porch, but it plays the opening cords of “Amazing Grace." These melodies can be soothing to anyone who’s grieving. Make the gift even more special by customizing the attached wooden tag with a family name.

There’s a reason it’s called comfort food. Food goes straight to the soul via the stomach. And when someone passes away, family members need consolation and nourishment. This Sending Sympathy kit from Mouth has all the essentials like jam, almond crisps, chocolate, tapenade, and more. The box includes yummy treats to make anyone feel good and it’s a nice departure from the usual fruit or cheese basket.

One of the questions that so often goes unanswered for those mourning the loss of a loved one is, “What was dying like for them?” In “The Bright Hour,” Nina Riggs, a great-great-great granddaughter of Ralph Waldo Emerson and a poet herself, attempts to answer that question as she lived with terminal breast cancer. A moving read, your friend may find some consolation in the insights, lessons, and reflection that fill this book.

This custom bracelet is an easy way for someone to keep the memory of their loved one close by. A pendant includes the phrase, “Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day,” as well as a photo of your choice. This can be a pic of the person they lost or any special memory. In addition to the phrase and photo, you can select a birthstone gem of your choice.

The days and weeks after losing someone can feel like a fog, but this 31 Days of Kind Notes provides your recipient with encouragement as they grieve. The keepsake jar includes 31 notes and quotes that range from “hang in there, take it one day at a time” to “gone from sight, but never from our hearts.” These are notes someone can reach for when they’re feeling down or just need a bit of positivity. Also, you can choose to add an 80-page book to the notes, which has longer encouraging passages.

A bath bomb is cool, but when you want the self care sessions to continue long after a product has fizzled out, TheraBox is a great option. The self care subscription box, founded by a therapist, includes a therapeutic activity and up to eight wellness products. You can order a month to month, three, six, or even a full year’s worth of boxes. They'll think of you and your kindness every time this box arrives on their doorstep.

Kids would appreciate this stuffed animal, but adults might as well. The plush bear is 36 inches tall and perfect for cozying up to or just as a fun addition to any couch, chair, or bed. Besides being absolutely adorable and squeezable, there’s an attached bookmark that has an encouraging quote. This is a small, yet thoughtful gift for people of all ages.

There’s something so powerful about writing things down and if someone in your life believes in that, then this manifestation pen will be a one of a kind gift. The pens are topped with quartz, which is intended to heighten intentions and ward off negativity, or amethyst, which is for healing and balance, and can be used in journal writing or every day note taking. The stainless steel pens are meant to aide in manifestation, which can be especially helpful for someone who is questioning the future. And the pen is also just a gorgeous piece to add to any desk or office.

Your grieving friend or family member may have a lot of photos or mementos they want to hold on to and this resin box acts as a keepsake. The handmade box is large enough to hold photos, trinkets, or any other great memories they might want to preserve. Also, the box looks great on any bookcase, dresser, or desktop, all while housing beautiful memories.

Candles are pretty much a home decor staple, but these are a bit more special. You can choose from nine to 16 ounces and kraft or white paper with these scented soy candles that have a personalized message on the back. The message can be words of encouragement, a quote, or even a scripture. The soy candles burned between 40 and 70 hours, so not only will the recipient have something beautiful to look at, but also a sweet fragrance to smell.

This Comfort Bowl of Hope and Healing deserves a space on any desk or coffee table. The river stones have a comforting message and the quartz and tiger iron are believed to have healing properties. It’s a small gift, the bowl is only six inches wide, but it’s something anyone experiencing grief can look at fondly when days are challenging.

Anyone who’s ever lost a pet can tell you that pet grief is real and can feel pretty intense. Your favorite fur parent will appreciate you for gifting this memorial stone. The “waiting for you over the rainbow bridge” plaque is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Each stone of the bridge is hand painted one by one. The craftsmanship of this sweet, but affordable gift can show any fur parent that you’re thinking of them.

Even in the age of digital everything, there’s something special about a photo album. The embroidered cover of this photo album has a special “Live, Laugh, Love” message across the front to emphasize the happy times that people were able to share with the person they lost. The album holds 200 4”x6” photos and leaves room in a memo-writing area on each page for people to jot down notes and fun memories. Your grieving friend may find comfort in going through pictures from times they spent with the person they’ve lost.