Creating a Grief Care Package

Creating a Grief Care Package

Losing a loved one is difficult to say the least. In addition to managing their grief and adapting to life without the deceased, they have to also use time and energy on day to day errands and tasks. While grieving alongside others, it can be difficult to find enough time in the day.

One way you can help make life a little easier for them is to create a grief care package. This is a great way for you to show your support for them during this difficult time. While many people will send flowers or cards, these do not necessarily help meet our day to day needs. 

Oftentimes, when a death has just occurred, people will offer the commonly used phrase “if there’s anything you need…”. The problem with this though, is that it requires the person grieving to reach out and ask for assistance. This isn’t always the easiest thing to do, especially if you’re already overwhelmed with grief.

If you’re looking for a way to make a real difference for someone who is grieving, consider creating a grief care package for them. Below, we’ve highlighted some different items you can include in your care package for someone grieving.

Items To Include In A Grief Care Package

When it comes to selecting items to include in a care package, there are plenty of options to consider. Honestly, you can include anything you think the bereaved may need over the coming days. This can include items like toiletries, food, gifts, grief resources, and items to help children cope.

Food

Between grieving, receiving messages of condolences, and comforting other family members, it can be hard to find time to cook. Sometimes, those in mourning may even forget to eat altogether. To help avoid this, consider making a dish or gathering some non-perishable food that you can drop off for them.

If you plan to make a meal, it’s best to make something that they can easily warm up when they feel like eating. A casserole or some soup are not only easy to reheat, they can be very comforting as well.

For non-perishable food items, stick to things like:
  • Nuts
  • Granola bars
  • Cereal
  • Canned goods (soup, vegetables, fruit, etc.)
grief care package food

Toiletries

Toiletries and other everyday items can quickly run out and need to be replaced. The problem with this though is that those who are mourning don’t always have time to make a quick trip to the pharmacy or supermarket. Consider adding some toiletries and other everyday items to your grief care package such as:
  • Tissues
  • Toilet paper
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • A tooth brush
  • Tooth paste
  • Soap
  • Lip balm
care package for someone grieving

Comfort Gifts

Sometimes people just need something to comfort them and help make them feel better. Your grief care package doesn’t need to be filled with expensive gifts. Something as simple as a bath bomb or cozy blanket can make a world of difference. Here are some suggestions for inexpensive comfort gifts to include in your care package.
  • Candles
  • Bath bombs
  • Blanket
  • A journal

Grief Resources

It’s common for those who are grieving to experience many different emotions in the days following a loss. The journey of grief is something we each experience in our own way at our own pace. If you are looking for ways to help them manage this journey and understand how to cope with it, some grief resources are helpful items to include in your care package. This can include items like:
  • Contact information for local grief support groups/counsellors
  • Books or articles for learning to managing grief
  • Helpful online articles or videos
  • A calendar of different grief support events taking place in the area over the coming months

Items For Children

If the bereaved have younger children, it can make coping with a loss even more difficult. In addition to managing their grief, they may have to help children cope, or just carrying on with the day-to-day duties of parenting. One way to help them out is to include some smaller gifts for children to help them cope with the loss. Children’s gifts can include items such as:
  • Coloring book and crayons
  • A stuffed animal
  • Activity books
  • Grief resources for children

Help The Bereaved and Show You Care

A loved one’s passing marks the beginning of a new journey for those they leave behind. When you take the time to plan and build a grief care package for them, you can help make this new journey a little bit easier for them.

If you find yourself wondering what else you should include in a care package for someone grieving, we’re here to help. We will happily answer any questions you may have and can offer ideas or resources you may wish to share with the person in mourning. It’s also recommended that you speak with other family members and friends. They may want to contribute to the care package and offer their own ideas.

Although creating a grief care package is a very thoughtful gesture in the initial days after a death, it's easy to return to a normal routine. However, that may not be as easy for someone that's grieving. We urge you to visit our page for friends of the bereaved, to learn about how to help someone in mourning. 
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