What to Put in a Bereavement Care Package (and What to Avoid)
When someone you care about is grieving, finding the right words, let alone finding the right gift, can be difficult. Sometimes we feel desperate to show someone we care and send our condolences, but we worry about saying the wrong thing.
That’s why bereavement care packages are selected by so many now as an alternative to flowers. The benefit of a care package to express your sympathy is that they feel more personal and are longer lasting vs. a bunch of flowers. They are a great way to gently say “I’m thinking of you”. At Brown Paper Packages you can build a bespoke bereavement care package online; Our gift cards have been created with bereavement in mind so even if you can’t find the words you can send your heartfelt sympathies with our help. Here’s a simple, practical guide to help you know what to include in a bereavement care package, and just as importantly, what to avoid. Brown Paper Packages gifting website is a destination for kind and comforting gift ideas that really do help.
What to Put in a Bereavement Care Package
1. Comforting, Everyday Treats
Grief can be exhausting. Often people forget to eat, or just don’t have the energy to cook. Including a few comforting treats in your care package can make a real difference.
Think:
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Quality tea or coffee
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Warming hot chocolate
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Energy bars, flapjacks, or something gently sweet
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Soup sachets or simple, nourishing snacks
These are small things, but they provide a reminder to the recipient to fuel and nourish their bodies. Selecting a snack out of their care package on those quiet evenings will be a reminder that you thought of them.
2. Gentle Self-Care Items
Self-care doesn’t need to be bubble baths and scented candles (and it shouldn’t feel like pressure to “feel better”). Instead, choose items that offer quiet comfort.
Lovely options include:
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A soft pair of socks
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A simple candle
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A Lip balm or hand cream
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A lavender sachet or calming tea
These work well for both men and women and feel thoughtful without being overwhelming.
3. A Thoughtful Gift Card
This is often the most important part. Keep it simple and honest.
You don’t need to find the perfect words. A short message like:
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“I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m thinking of you.”
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“Sending love and strength during a very difficult time.”
If you’re close, letting them know you’re there in the weeks ahead can mean more than anything. Grief doesn’t end after the funeral, and knowing support is ongoing really can be a comfort.
4. Something Practical
Practical gifts are often the most appreciated, even if they don’t sound glamorous.
Consider including:
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A notebook or journal
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A comforting book (nothing preachy or overly positive)
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A gift card for groceries, takeaway, or a local café
These are especially helpful for our quieter carers, those who don’t make a fuss but quietly hold everything together.
5. A Keepsake (If Appropriate)
For some people, a small keepsake can feel very meaningful. This could be:
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A piece of jewelry
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A pocket heart or gemstone they can carry with them
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A candle they can light in remembrance
Not everyone will want this, but for some people, a keepsake is something they can hold on to in their grief.
What to Avoid in a Bereavement Care Package
1. Anything Overly Cheerful or Loud
This isn’t the time for slogans type messages about “staying positive” or “everything happens for a reason”. Nothing to bright and cheery is why Brown Paper Packages have a signature gift hamper box that’s appropriate for bereavement. Not every gift box is appropriate in its messaging and packaging.
2. Strong Scents
While candles and bath products can be lovely, strong sickly fragrances can be overwhelming and they don’t alway give off the right mood. Stick to neutral scents with lavender or candles with very little sents or sentless. Many of our candle scents are selected for this reason.
3. Alcohol
Alcohol is not a great idea when someone is grieving a loved one. Alcohol is a depressant and can make feelings of grief worse. Some people avoid it, others find it makes things harder and for this reason, we think it’s best left out of a care package.
4. Anything That Feels Like Advice
Don’t offer timelines, or tell someone how they should feel, as this can be unintentionally hurtful. We try to solve the grief for someone. If chosen carefully, sending a book on grief can be helpful, but books that promise to “fix” grief or feelings of sadness may undermine someone’s feelings.
5. Flowers That Fade Too Quickly
Flowers are kind, but they don’t last long and can sometimes feel like one more thing to deal with. A care package offers comfort not just in the moment they receive it, but during the weeks that follow the bereavement.
The Most Important Thing to Remember
A bereavement care package doesn’t need to be a big expense. It can be 3 - 4 items beautifully wrapped with a kind gift message. If you create a Bereavement Care Package with Brown Paper Packages, we have made selecting a handful of special gifts easy and provide a range of thoughtful gift cards… and many of our gift boxes are cheaper than a bunch of flowers, so you can express your support with ease, meaning and without spending the earth. It’s about showing care and supporting someone without adding on the pressure to prepare an expensive bouquet of flowers. When chosen with care, these small gestures can mean more than you’ll ever know. But remember, no matter your budget, reminding someone that they’re not alone is the most important part. If you’re unsure, keep it simple, gentle, and heartfelt.
If you’re looking for a thoughtful, compassionate way to support someone through loss, explore our Bereavement Care Packages at Brown Paper Packages. Each package is carefully curated to offer comfort, kindness and reassurance when words feel hard to find. Whether you choose a ready-made option or build a bespoke care package, Brown Paper Packages makes it easy to send a meaningful gesture that truly lets someone know they’re not alone.