Watching someone you love go through the grieving process can be unbelievably hard. For many people, it’s also difficult to know how to comfort and support friends in their pain. It’s natural to worry about saying “the wrong thing” and potentially making the situation worse. However, most people appreciate any sort of loving outreach when they’re navigating grief. It’s better to say or do the wrong thing out of love than it is to leave someone completely alone when they need you.

However, it’s not always possible to be there in person for a grieving friend. You might live across the country or work unusual hours that prevent you from coming to their aid. In situations like this, you can call or text regularly to check in on your friend. You can also show your support by sending them heartfelt sympathy baskets. Here are four ideas for thoughtful baskets that will remind grieving loved ones how much you care about them.

1. Comfort Food Basket

Comfort foods of all types make some of the best sympathy gift ideas. Options like bread, soup, cookies, and other indulgent delights can warm both the belly and the heart. If you think the mood-boosting benefits of comfort food are “all in your head,” you’d be partially correct. Science shows that foods high in sugar, fat, or salt can have a powerful impact on the brain. Specifically, they activate reward and pleasure regions that improve mood and reduce negative emotions.

If you’re searching for effective ways to help a grieving friend feel better, you can’t go wrong by sending them a comfort food basket. While chocolate and sugary treats make a fun choice, it might also be a good idea to include some healthier options. Soup, potato salad, chili, and hearty casseroles can all soothe a broken heart while nourishing the body.

2. Calming Aromatherapy Basket

Aromatherapy is the practice of inhaling scent molecules from essential oils for specific benefits. Essential oils are plant extracts made by pressing or steaming specific parts of plants to capture desired compounds. These compounds produce highly concentrated fragrances that can have a positive effect on mood. Aromatherapy can come in various forms, including essential oil vials, candles, soaps, and massage oils.   

Research suggests that specific plant compounds may boost feelings of wellness and reduce depression and anxiety when inhaled. Some of the top aromatherapy choices for these purposes include lavender, sweet orange, bergamot, chamomile, and sage. Consider sending a soothing aromatherapy basket with some or all of these oils to your grieving friend. Remember to also include instructions for use. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should be diluted before inhaling or applying directly to the body.

3. Mental Health Care Basket

A mental health care gift basket can be a very thoughtful surprise to send to someone who’s suffering. Ideally, it should include items that will help the receiver relax and take care of their body and mind. You may be able to find pre-assembled mental health care baskets that you like. But if you can’t, don’t be afraid to make your own by assembling custom-selected items for your friend.

Here are some great ideas for items to include in a mental health care basket:

• A journal to write down thoughts and feelings
• A weighted blanket to provide comfort and reassurance
• Personal hygiene items to encourage proper self-care and cleanliness
• Adult coloring books or brain puzzles to keep the mind occupied
• Fidget toys for stress relief
• Hobby supplies to foster creativity and boost mood

You know your friend best, so don’t be afraid to stray from the above list. You might feel like your friend would prefer to receive a funny book or a sappy chick flick. Trust your intuition when selecting items for their personalized mental health care basket. 

4. Condolences and Inspiration Basket

When you’re dealing with grief, it’s not uncommon to crave condolences while simultaneously looking for inspiration to help you get through. A gift basket that shows your heartfelt sympathy while also offering encouragement and hope can be both thoughtful and therapeutic. For the sympathy portion of your gift basket, you might tuck a remembrance necklace or keychain into the basket. It might be in the shape of an angel wing or contain the engraved name of your friend’s loved one. A guided grief journal can also be very helpful for expressing and navigating feelings of loss.

For the inspirational portion of your gift basket, consider including one or more feel-good books that uplift and encourage. Or you could send your loved one a small memorial tree they can plant in a location of their choice. As the tree grows over time, it will serve as a living tribute to the person they lost.

Grief is a complicated emotion that often comes in waves. Some people may prefer to be around people they love when they’re grieving. Others may prefer to self-isolate until they get a handle on their emotions. But no matter how a person deals with grief, they almost universally appreciate receiving thoughtful gifts from loved ones to help them get through. Use this guide to help you put together a thoughtful sympathy basket for a grieving friend.