Flowers delivered to a funeral home get sent to nursing homes, hospitals, churches and often are thrown away after the final services. Although they are beautiful, the expense could be used instead to help the family members cope with their loss, something they can look at days later and appreciate when the shock of death is less stressful.

The following 19 ideas for a sympathy gift basket are unique and would be appreciated for the thoughtfulness:

• Large framed photo of deceased with coffee mugs and gourmet coffees
• Photo album with old photos of deceased, with gourmet teas, homemade cookies
• Newspaper copy from day deceased was born, book of poems, bottle wine
• Gourmet cookies with copy of deceased's high school yearbook
• Computer generated photo of deceased, Andy Worhol style, with wine, glasses
• Journal style memories of the deceased, gourmet snacks, coffees
• Notebook signed by friends with memories of deceased, bottle of wine, glasses
• Handwritten or typed story relating to a memory of deceased, with gourmet cookie, chocolates
• DVD of family videos , along with a supply of snacks
• Hospital Emergency - Book of puzzles, personal items (such as lotions), snacks, pillow
• Sick but not Forgotten: Books, DVDS, Puzzles, House cleaning certificate
• Personal items such as lotion, shampoo and towels with soothing bath products
• A mug filled with spa certificate, lotions for relaxing day of quiet grieving
• Sympathy divorce: Spa certificate, supplies for Margarita party
• Divorce: Salon certificate,bottle of champagne, glasses
• Lost job: Car wash certificates ,bottle of wine
• Lost job: Newspaper subscription with gourmet coffees
• Lost pet: Photos of pet with gourmet tea snacks
• Lost pet: Handwritten memory of lost pet with case of beer, beer snacks

A gift basket can be made of any occasion, and supplies can be purchased from a craft store. You may use items such as mugs, pots, unusual boxes instead of baskets.