Sympathy baskets are a wonderful way to express your love for anyone who has lost someone. There are many unique options available that go far beyond the typical fruit basket. If cost is an issue, a do-it-yourself basket would be a great choice. Whether you choose to send food or gifts, giving a basket will help those who are mourning feel connected and supported.
Healing and Hope Sympathy Basket
Helping a mourner through a difficult time sometimes means thinking outside the box. FTD has a unique gift basket that comes with:
- White chocolate truffles
- Chocolate chip cookies
- French vanilla truffles
- White chocolate bar
- Butter cookies
- Cheese straws
- Cheese
Extra Touches
On top of the delicious sweet and salty treats, this basket also comes with a book entitled Healing After a Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief. The book offers encouragement and thoughts for those working to cope with a major loss. The gift comes in a keepsake box with a ribbon printed with the words, 'With Sympathy,' wrapped around it and costs around $90. This gift would be a great buy for someone who loves chocolate and would appreciate a meditative approach to grieving.
The website is clearly labeled and easy to use overall. If you have any problems while ordering or browsing, there is a chat box to ask questions and get immediate replies. FTD ships throughout the United States as well as the United Kingdom. FTD also offers refunds or replacement products if you're not satisfied or the order does not arrive on time. Same day delivery is offered for certain products, with the option to purchase these items under the 'same day' tab. The company also supports local florists so you can feel good about where your money is going.
Italian Market Snacks
Often after someone has passed, well-wishers will want to stop by and pay their respects. For most people who are grieving, playing host or hostess is not priority number one. This basket by Olive and Cocoa offers easy-to-access snacks that will satisfy sweet and salty cravings. It comes in a beautiful wooden box filled with:
- Mixed nuts
- Sea salt caramels
- Tomato bruschetta spread
- Basil pesto
- Box of crackers
- Salami
- Cheese
Great for Well-Wishers
This basket costs around $100 and would be a great purchase for someone whom you know has a lot of visitors after a funeral. The gift comes in a reusable wooden box and while it is a bit on the expensive side, keep in mind the premium goodies, free gift wrapping and large size.
Although Olive and Cocoa does not have a brick and mortar store, the website is easy to navigate and products can be purchased directly from the site or catalog. An easy feature on their site allows the buyer to ship as a gift or to themselves, and offers a tool that allows access to a saved address book if the buyer is a frequent site user. If the customer is not satisfied with the basket, the company offers a total refund. To get a refund, the customer can contact customer support. They ship within the United States, and internationally as well.
Kosher Gourmet Basket
In the midst of grief, it is quite common for people to forget to eat. Sending easy-to-serve snacks and goodies is a great way to make someone's life easier during a difficult time. 1-800 Baskets offers a kosher basket for those with dietary restrictions. This large basket comes with:
- Assorted tea
- Hot cocoa
- Baklava
- Peanut brittle
- Chocolate squares
- Smoked salmon
- Olive oil and sea salt crackers
- Caramel pretzels
- Roasted pistachios
- Chocolate caramelized cashews
- Assorted chocolate dipped fruit
- Honey
- Assorted dried fruit
For Sitting Shiva
This gift basket works well for those who are sitting Shiva, and would also be an appropriate addition to bring to the reception following the funeral. It costs around $120 and comes in a wicker basket and jute embellished with a satin bow.
The basket can only be purchased through their site, which is very easy to navigate. To find this specific basket, click on the Sympathy and Gifts tab, which is located under the Holidays and Occasions tab on their home page. Once purchased, there is a track order option directly on the website which can be used after creating a login name and password. If the customer experiences any difficulty, customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day.
Wine Country Sympathy Basket
Wine Country Gift Baskets offers a premium, large sympathy basket that comes with a great variety of sweet and salty decadent snacks, but also includes some healthy options. This basket includes:
- Chocolate caramels
- Asiago cheese
- Honey crunch mix
- Veggie sticks
- Mini biscotti
- Walnut cookies
- Peanut brittle
- Hummus
- Raspberry fudge
- Brownie cookies
- Fruit hard candies
- Cheddar cheese straws
- Rosemary crackers
- Naan crisps
- English breakfast tea
- Whole olives
Affordability
This basket works well for anyone who is looking to purchase a substantial gift basket, but is in search of a less expensive option. The gift costs around $50, and Wine Country offers free shipping.
Wine Country also offers deals of the day, free shipping items, discounted items and Canada shipping products. If you encounter any difficulties, or have a general question, a live chat is available. There is also the option to call customer service, or send them an email. Wine Country Baskets is working toward using 100 percent recycled material in its packaging and has lowered their emissions by reducing the transportation of materials.
Bakery Gift Basket
Grocery shopping may feel too overwhelming and intense for anyone who is experiencing grief. This basket by Harry & David offers a quick fix for a delicious breakfast and dessert. The basket includes:
- Lemon poppy seed coffee cake
- Apple loaf cake
- Cinnamon swirl cake
- Baklava
- Chocolate cake
- Raspberry galettes
- Lemon shortbread cookies
- Walnut chocolate chip cookies
- Four white chocolate raspberry cookie bars
- Four German chocolate cookie bars
For Someone With a Sweet Tooth
This gift would work great for anyone who wants to give comforting, delicious sweet breakfast and dessert options. This basket would not work well for anyone who does not enjoy sweets, as there are no savory additions to this particular basket. The basket costs around $80.
The website is easy to use and has filters that allow you to search based on price point, food item and dietary restrictions. Harry & David has storefronts throughout the country as well if you want to see items in person before buying. If a customer is not satisfied with a purchase, Harry & David will either replace the items or send a refund depending on the customer's preference. You can contact them through their customer service page. They offer customers coupons, free recipes, and Monday through Sunday customer service availability. Harry & David also notes they have been a green company for the past thirty years, and continues to decrease their environmental impact.
Do-It-Yourself Baskets
Creating a sympathy basket is oftentimes more affordable than purchasing a premade one. If you find that something premade just won't do, and you have the time, put together a gourmet basket that is sure to be appreciated.
- Do-it-yourself baskets are a great opportunity to bake something fresh and delicious. Put together a basket that includes hot chocolate mix, a few mugs, some premade s'mores and homemade cookies. This soothing gift basket is sure to bring some comfort to those who are grieving.
- Help those in mourning by giving them an easy breakfast. Fill your basket with a fresh loaf of bread, scones and some high quality jam for an easy to make meal. Add in some special touches like wrapping a bow around your basket and writing a customized card.
- Create a basket filled with healthy snacks like fresh fruits, veggies, cheese sticks and whole wheat crackers. Portion the snacks out for a quick bite. These no-prep snacks work great for adults and children who are mourning a loss.
Showing Support
Giving someone a sympathy basket shows them that they are loved and cared for. Because every situation is unique, try to give a basket that offers some sort of healing. Try to figure out what your person in mourning needs, whether that's premade food, snacks or keepsakes, and purchase or create that perfect basket.
