Recent Articles

It was one of those new fancy cell phones and I had been holding it in my hands all day for fear of missing her call. You see, there is a new person in my life and I have grown very fond of her, even though we've know each other only for a very short while. She was on vacation in France and I was attending a seminar in Montreal (Canada). In order not to disturb the speaker and the other participants, I had silenced the ringer and set the phone on vibrate only.

Offering condolences can be awkward no matter which side of the gesture you're on. Friends and family may struggle to find the right words while the bereaved may feel like no one really understands what they're going through. Unfortunately, there is no right way to make that process easier, but sympathy gifts can be a step in the right direction.

Sympathy gifts may sound like an unusual idea. For most people, their first inclination is to back away from someone who is grieving, reasoning that they need their space or just finding themselves unsure of exactly what to do or say. It's a natural reaction, but it is possible to reach out and offer support with a thoughtful and touching gift.

Imagine the 42-year-old who's the successful executive, with wife and two young children, and a lovely home. He's got it all. Except, that is, his health. He has the early stages of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). He must now prepare for an early exit; to leave his life far too early.

By Mary Jane Hurley Brant

Sympathy baskets, food and flowers are the things most people automatically think of when attempting to comfort someone who is grieving. While these gestures can be perfectly adequate, they may also fall far short of the mark, especially when so many other people have the same thought. Rather than just adding more of the same, why not make a thoughtful gesture with a unique and special remembrance gift?

By Maureen Hunter

Memorial gifts are an idea that is becoming more and more popular every day. Often, it is easier to express sympathy through a thoughtful gift than with carefully crafted words. This can be particularly true when you are reaching out to a grieving man.