The death of a loved one causes shock and pain for those who were closest. The acute pain caused by the feeling of grief and loss can be consuming, without a way to feel normal again. If someone you love has been dealing with a death, it can be confusing and upsetting to know exactly what to do or say. A small gift isn't only a nice gesture, it can help your loved one cope with death and go through the grieving process.
Memorial Box
A well-made wooden box can give your loved one the proper place for memorabilia, notes and pictures to help keep the lost one's spirit alive long after death. Present her with the box, with a heartfelt note instructing her to fill the box with good memories of the one that she loved. When she feels sad or lonely, the memory box serves as a way to go back in time and look through all of the things she's accumulated to feel the spirit of the lost one come back for a period of time.
Star
Naming a star after the deceased through the International Star Registry is a thoughtful gesture that can comfort your loved one. The star registry allows you to input the name, and even choose the area of the sky in which it can be found. Astrological maps and certificates can be ordered to be presented to the grieving. Make sure that he knows he can look in the sky each night and locate the star named for his loved one in order to cope with the death and feel as though his loved one is looking down on him.
Art Supplies
Art therapy is an especially effective way to deal with death, according to The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Especially helpful for children, art supplies can help a person that you love work through her grief without having to say a word. Instead, she can paint, draw a picture or sculpt something with clay to represent her lost one and how she feels. Art therapy is offered in many hospitals and psychology practices as well.
Meals
The death of a loved one can render your friend almost useless for days and even weeks following. To make his burden lighter, a few freezer meals that he can put in the oven for dinner can remove some of the stress that can be inflicted by simple and everyday tasks following the death of a loved one. Choose meals that can be frozen and reheated easily, like lasagna, enchiladas, soups and stews.
Tree
A small tree is a constant reminder of newness and life, which can bring comfort to the mourning. A new tree, planted in the name of the deceased, can give your friend a constant reminder of her loved one. As she cares for the tree through each season, she can see it grow and flourish, and take some time to remember her loved one, says grief support resource Self Healing Expressions. It's a caring and thoughtful gesture that can make a friend's grief process just a little bit brighter.
