When someone you care about loses a person they love, it can be hard to know what to say. Often there are no right words. What matters most is that they know you are thinking of them, and that they are not alone.
A thoughtful gift can say that for you. It sits quietly in their home long after the cards have been put away, a gentle reminder that they are surrounded by care.
Here are three sympathy gift ideas we often recommend, and why each one means so much.
1. Sympathy flowers in soft, gentle tones
There is a reason people say that when words fail, flowers speak. Fresh blooms bring a little grace and calm into a home at a time when everything else feels heavy.
For sympathy, we suggest choosing elegance over colour. White lilies, roses and orchids, or soft muted tones, feel respectful and peaceful. Our "Tender Thoughts" arrangement of fragrant white oriental lilies arrives in a ceramic vase, so there is nothing for the family to do but enjoy it. Prefer a classic bouquet? "With Gratitude" pairs crisp white blooms with sculptural greenery.
We can also deliver to funeral homes, so your flowers are there for the service.
2. A living gift that keeps growing
Flowers are beautiful for a week or two. A plant can stay with someone for years, becoming a lasting tribute to the person they have lost.
The peace lily is a natural choice. Its name gently suggests that their loved one is now at peace, and its white flowers keep returning for months. Our "Growing Together" peace lily is easy to care for, even for someone who isn't feeling up to much right now.
A phalaenopsis orchid is another lovely option, and the best of both worlds: a flower and a plant in one. Its elegant blooms last for weeks, and with a little care it will flower again next season, a quiet reminder that their loved one is always with them. Our "Always There" orchid is locally grown and presented in a ceramic pot.
3. A keepsake hamper for the grieving heart
Sometimes the most comforting gift is one that offers a few moments of calm. Our "Holding You Close" sympathy hamper brings together three gentle things: a peace lily, the In Loving Memory book of comforting quotations, and an Ecoya mini candle to light in remembrance.
It is one of our most loved sympathy gifts, because it gives them something to hold onto in the days and weeks ahead.
A gift that gives twice
Every Kind Hearts gift also becomes a donation. 10% of the gift price goes to the charity you choose before checkout, whether that is the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Ambulance Wish Queensland, the Mental Awareness Foundation or Women's Legal Service Queensland.
If the person who has passed had a cause close to their heart, choosing that charity can make your gift even more meaningful. It is a small way to honour them, and to let the family know their loved one's story continues to make a difference.
A few gentle tips
- Keep your card message simple. "Thinking of you" or "With love and deepest sympathy" is enough. Sharing a favourite memory of the person can mean a great deal.
- Don't worry about timing. Support in the weeks after a funeral, when the flowers have faded and life has gone quiet, is often the most appreciated.
- Choose something low maintenance. A plant or vase arrangement means nobody has to hunt for a vase on a hard day.
We can't take away their pain, but we can help you surround them with love while their heart heals in its own time.