What is a good gift for someone who is grieving?

Something that lasts and makes room for the person they lost: a memorial portrait from a favorite photo, a memory book filled by friends, or practical help like meals. Flowers are kind, but they're gone in a week.

What do you give someone who lost their mom?

A gift that keeps her close: a painted portrait from a favorite photo, her handwriting made into a keepsake, or a book of memories from people who knew her. Add a card with your own memory of her.

When should I give a memorial gift?

There's no deadline. Many people appreciate a gift a few weeks or months later, on a birthday, an anniversary or the first holidays, when the cards have stopped coming.

Can a memorial portrait be shipped directly to the family?

Yes. Enter the family's address as the delivery address at checkout. Prints and canvases arrive within 2 to 5 business days in the United States.

Grief Gifts: 15 Thoughtful Sympathy Gifts for Someone Who Lost a Loved One

When someone you care about loses a person they love, it's hard to know what to say, let alone what to give. A good grief gift doesn't try to fix anything. It says: I'm thinking of you, and I remember them too. Here are 15 thoughtful sympathy gifts, from small gestures to keepsakes that last, with notes on giving them with care. We make painted memorial portraits, so that idea is on the list, but most of these ideas have nothing to do with us.

How to give a grief gift with care

Make it about the person who died. Gifts that use their name, photo, or story usually mean the most.
Don't rush. A gift weeks or months later, when the cards have stopped, is often more welcome than one in the first chaotic days.
Add a memory. A short card with your own memory of the person is worth more than any gift.
Keep practical help in mind. In the first weeks, a meal or an errand can matter more than a keepsake.

Keepsakes that keep them close

1. A memorial portrait from a favorite photo

A painted portrait of the person they lost, from a photo you have or one you quietly ask the family for. Calm styles like Impressionist or Modern suit a memorial well. You see a free preview first; a fine art print starts at $59 and a canvas at $119. Make a memorial portrait.

2. The whole family together again

Many families don't have a recent photo with everyone in it. A family portrait that includes a loved one who has passed puts everyone together on one painting. Read how to add a deceased loved one to a photo first.

3. Their handwriting as a keepsake

A recipe card, a birthday note, or a signature engraved on jewelry or printed on a tea towel. Their handwriting is one of the most personal things that remains.

4. A memory book from friends and family

Ask everyone who knew the person to write down one memory. Bound in a book, it tells the family things about their loved one they never knew.

5. A memorial ornament or candle

A small, lasting reminder for the holidays. Many families light a candle at dinner on the first Christmas or Thanksgiving.

For the loss of a mom or dad

6. A portrait of mom or dad in their prime

Choose a photo of how they want to remember them: on a holiday, in the garden, at a wedding. Sending it to a sibling or a parent's partner is a gift that brings the whole family comfort.

7. Her recipes or his tools, preserved

A printed cookbook of mom's recipes, or dad's favorite tool mounted in a shadow box. Things they used every day carry a lot of meaning.

For the loss of a pet

8. A pet memorial portrait

Losing a dog or cat is real grief, and it's often overlooked. A painted portrait of the pet they lost shows you understand. More ideas in our pet loss gift guide.

9. A paw print keepsake

Some vets offer clay paw prints; if the family has one, a frame or shadow box makes it something to display.

Practical help that comforts

10. Meals

A meal delivery, a week of dinners from friends, or a grocery gift card. In the first weeks, nobody feels like cooking.

11. An errand or chore

Mowing the lawn, picking up the kids, writing thank-you cards together. Offer one specific thing instead of saying let me know if you need anything.

12. A comfort basket

Good tea, a soft blanket, a book. Small things that say: take care of yourself.

For the first holidays and anniversaries

13. A first-Christmas-without-them gift

The first holidays without someone are often the hardest. A memorial portrait, ornament or candle given in December gives the family a way to include the person who's missing. If you want it there by Christmas, order personalized gifts by December 16.

14. A note on the anniversary

Put the date in your calendar. A message or a small gift on the first anniversary shows you haven't forgotten.

15. A donation in their name

A gift to a cause the person cared about, with a card for the family. A good choice when you don't know the family well.

A sympathy gift that stays

Flowers fade; a portrait, a book of memories or their handwriting stays. If you'd like to give something lasting, have a look at our sympathy gift: upload a photo, see a free preview, and have it shipped straight to the family.