What to bring...

[4HOLIDAYS]

Sorry, mods please move, on my phone and posted to wrong forum!

My next door neighbor passed away today and i am looking for an idea of what to bring (food, flowers...) to the widow. We are freindly but not close. They have always been nice and kind and want to do something.
Several of us have of course offered to do anything she might need help.with. Her daughter is with her for now.
What is appropriate? I have no experience with this so iappreciate any ideas or thoughts on it.

 

[powellrj]

I think food is always welcome when they have people coming from out of town. A fruit tray or muffins for breakfasts maybe?

 

[pinkprincess30]

When my mother died a friend brought over a large platter of deli sandwiches. My dad and I lived off that platter for a couple days while we processed it all. Even us two grown adults couldn't cook and didn't want to go out. Nothing sounded appetizing but a sandwich always fit the bill. It was a life saver.

 

[chris31997]

I think a hug would be great. Maybe offering to do some chores around the house for the widow, like mow the grass. Another thing would be to invite them over for dinner.

I like the idea about the muffins or breakfast items.

 

[amcnj]

Not knowing the specific situation, one thing I have heard over the years is there is a big rush of support initially then it drastically falls off. Of course everyone is different as to how much support they need and for how long. But some have said they could have used someone to just talk with later, or that the initial barrage of food would have been more useful being spread out over a longer time, especially for someone for whom going to the store or preparing food is an issue. For a neighbor of mine whose husband died young and unexpectedly several of us rotated cutting the lawn for her. Growing up we always shoveled the snow at the houses of 5 neighbors who were all widows.

 

[sparkyboy]

Generally, we initially do a fruit tray, breakfast items (cereal, muffins, coffee and juice) as well as paper products-bathroom tissues, napkins, kleenex, paper plates, and cups. And afterwards, I generally will take over a small casserole, quart of soup, cookies, etc. and spend some time.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

Thank you so much for the ideas. I think the fruit , muffins, juice is good initially. I like the paper goods as well. I may do a small deli tray as well in a couple days for around the time of the funeral. And probably some sweets like cookies then , too.

I appreciate the info. This is one area I know nothing about.

 

[dclpluto]

food and flowers is always nice

 

[TwoMisfits]

Best delivery we had after my dad's funeral was Chick-Fil-A platters for all of us (nuggets, fruit salad, coleslaw - sad the coleslaw is gone now) with a gift card attached to order it again once the food was all gone.