What can I give to a family at a funeral besides flowers and/or food?

If you don't want to do a flower arrangement to send to the wake, it's usually traditional to send a PLANT instead (not flowers). You can find BEAUTIFUL peace lilies online. They're really durable, and don't take a green thumb to take care of. They're also beautiful.

You can also send a fruit basket instead of sending "food".

Really anything you do will be appreciated. Don't worry about what other people are doing. I would probably go with the plant.

Funeral Gifts Besides Flowers

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RE:

What can I give to a family at a funeral besides flowers and/or food?

The father of a very good family friend passed away yesterday. The initial discussion was to do a nice floral arrangement, as they have done that in the past for my family. However, I just don't want to spend $75 on a bouquet that will die. And I'm not a fan of silk arrangements...

...Hmm, you could find a local painter to have his portret painted in oil - add a custom wood carved frame and don't make it too big, like in the old days, just dainty enough as not too be cumbersome in the future. At the funeral just let them know you are preparing a special gift that takes a little time to deliver and offer a smaller arrengement with a sympathy card.

If oil painting is not an otion then invest in a quality enlargement (again, not too big) and real expensive carved wood frame from a pro, custom framing services, they do an excelent job!

If there is no charity to donate to, pick one and put it in the deceased name anyway. Example: is there a charity Home Depot or Lowes does things for; because he was handy and things. Find out what organizations they are affilated with and donate to them in his memory and make sure the family sees it.

Also, waiting and then doing something kind after the funeral is long over with is an excellent way to show you care after everyone has forgotten.

We felt the same way when my grandmother died, no need for a bunch of flowers so we asked that people make a donation in her name at her 2 favorite charities. You say that donations are out, but you could find something in the woodworking or oil painting world that you could donate the money to in his name. Or you could just give the donation for them at the funeral. People give money at funerals too. Normally it goes to help pay for the funeral.

Usually a nice family photo with him in. If you can get it enlarge and framed in a quality frame. People will be able to remember the happy moment the photo was taken for many years to come.

I did a similar thing when a very close uncle died, my auntie still keep the photo on show on her mantle piece 8 years later.

Habitat for Humanity is a good choice for a charity.

Also, since he had so many hobbies, you may want to consider donating some money to a local public library to purchase library books in his memory. The library normally places a book plaque in the front of the book saying "Donated in the memory of...."

Since he had so many hobbies, asking the library to buy books in his hobby areas would be nice.

Another idea would be to donate money to the great-grandson's school (maybe the athletic department?).

Just a few ideas.

Since the funeral is in the middle of winter, I bought a gift certificate for a nursery so that the granddaughter could choose a rose or plant to buy in the spring to plant in memory of her loved one.

you have two options: either phone the family and ask what organization to donate to in the man's memory, or send a check to them with a note saying you wanted to contribute to ease their loss and didn't know what they needed at this time of their loss. (with the money they could pay for Masses in the future if they are catholic, they could put it toward the funeral or expenses they incurred, they could donate it to offset the guys income with regard to his final IRS form, etc. and you could use that as a donation on your income taxes)