https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:32:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926438 Sat, 12 Mar 2022 00:07:33 +0000 karenbme 2926438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926437 Fri, 11 Mar 2022 08:59:44 +0000 LadyDi 2926437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all, sounds like food is the way to go. @minimalistmom: This looks great, I am going to go with this. Thanks so much for the recommendation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926436 Thu, 10 Mar 2022 21:48:51 +0000 bakingdoodle 2926436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Got out of the hospital 10 days ago. my parents were taking care of my family while I recuperate. They left but today, my friend dropped off 2 chicken pot pies, ready-to-bake from a local place. Appreciated so much </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926435 Thu, 10 Mar 2022 21:27:32 +0000 minimalistmom 2926435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't recommend Spoonful of Comfort enough! I got one for a friend when her dad passed and another when a co-worker's husband had a stroke. Both people were so appreciative and said they are going to buy them for people going forward. The meals include soup, rolls, cookies and a beautiful ladle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926433 Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:49:42 +0000 bees_knees 2926433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Food. Meals are great, but it can be anything—the things we liked best when my sister passed were (healthy-ish) ready made platter/snack type things. Think fruit trays, veggie trays, tortilla roll ups, etc (our local grocery store delivers them, can check into that). Someone also gifted us a very large gift card to a local pizza place, which was great when we had tons of family in town for the funeral. </p> <p>Also paper products (paper towels, TP, Kleenex, paper plates, disposable silverware). Bottled water and drinks. </p> <p>And honestly the things that meant the most were heart felt written condolences. </p> <p>Agree with the sentiment above that people kept telling me how strong I was and, while I know it was well intentioned, I just wanted to scream “What is the alternative?!?!”</p> <p>But reaching out with ANYTHING means so much. It doesn’t matter what words you say or what food you send—just showing up (even if virtually) means more than I can describe. I never realized how many people loved me, my family, and my sister until the week after she passed and it truly did help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926432 Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:49:37 +0000 peaches1038 2926432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband’s mom passed away from Covid in November and we really appreciated restaurant gift cards or doordash, grub hub etc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926431 Wed, 09 Mar 2022 19:36:07 +0000 Lahela017 2926431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with others. Last year my husband's twin brother passed away and my father-in-law stayed at our house for awhile to sort everything out and to be together with my husband. One of his extended relatives set up a meal train for us and it was the most helpful thing ever. They were all across the country from us so it was all delivery they set up from restaurants. My favorite meals were the ones that we didn't need to do anything for. They had pizzas delivered to our house one night, a local Italian place delivered a spaghetti dinner another night, and another night a local place delivered a taco party platter. Other nights people sent us gift cards for delivery, which was wonderful too, but made me figure out all those logistics. Other ideas would be having assorted bagels, fruit and veggie trays, snacks or assorted sandwiches delivered.</p> <p>I also wouldn't rule out flowers and a well thought out card in addition to a meal or two. It was lovely to see flowers whenever we walked by them and be reminded that people were thinking of us.</p> <p>Not sure if she has kids, but if she does, I'd also send some activities that they could do independently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926430 Wed, 09 Mar 2022 17:00:31 +0000 catgirl 2926430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @smuckers: about the necklace. While the sentiment is nice it seems like it might be better in the future, not while she is still actively dealing with every thing. </p> <p>I always think food is the most helpful. So I would research a food delivery service in her area. Or do restaurant gift cards or even Uber eats gift cards. Or research grocery delivery, my local store gives you the option to gift a person a certain number of deliveries or pick ups (you can choose to cover the cost of the items or not)</p> <p>While a spa sounds lovely, it might feel like another item on a to do list. I agree that taking items off her plate would be the most helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926429 Wed, 09 Mar 2022 14:56:59 +0000 smuckers 2926429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What a sweet thought. I will say, while the strength necklace is pretty thoughtful, it's not what I might pick. When my mom passed in August I felt like I HAD to be strong and what I really needed/wanted was the permission and opportunity to *not* be strong. </p> <p>Honestly, what would have helped me the most was someone taking things off of my list. A house cleaner, dinners, babysitting (not just a generic offer of "let me know!", but a legitimate "I want to babysit for you on XYZ day, does that work for you?"). I had decision fatigue and I was burnt out AF. I didn't want to initiate asking for help because that was work too. Anything that could have lightened that load would have helped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926428 Wed, 09 Mar 2022 14:13:56 +0000 LadyDi 2926428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A close friend of mine (she lives out of town) is having a very challenging year. She's had covid twice, her husband is struggling with long covid, her father passed from covid in the fall, and on Sunday night (her birthday) her brother passed away unexpectedly in a motorcycle accident. Ugh. I would like to do something for her that's more than just flowers but I am not sure what's appropriate. I was thinking this "strength" necklace (<a href="https://www.bryananthonys.com/collections/empowerment/products/strength?variant=12242764791889" rel="nofollow">https://www.bryananthonys.com/collections/empowerment/products/strength?variant=12242764791889</a>) and maybe a gift card to a spa? Something she could do for herself that would be a mental break from what she has going on? Any thoughts or suggestions? </p>