Food to help a grieving family? Recipes?
I was thinking about something the other day. Prior to my father passing away, I would always offer verbal condolences to those grieving, but I can't say I really put a lot of effort into bringing over food or sending flowers. I don't have an excuse...I just didn't think such gestures meant that much. Don't ask me why. Yet I can very clearly remember, during the days following my father's death, friends bringing over meals and desserts and my brothers and our families gathering at my mother's house all together for the first time in the past...decade? I'm not even sure how long. Those meals meant so much to me. My mother wrote thank-you notes and I sent my own set, I was so appreciative.
So for those who have provided food (either something in the form of a meal or dessert), what did you bring? What works well for something like this? And if you don't mind, could you post the recipe? It sounds silly, but I really want to be able to pay back the kindness others have shown my family or pay forward to someone else who is grieving.
Thanks for your help!
Food to help a grieving family? Recipes?
I was thinking about something the other day. Prior to my father passing away, I would always offer verbal condolences to those grieving, but I can't say I really put a lot of effort into bringing over food or sending flowers. I don't have an excuse...I just didn't think such gestures meant that much. Don't ask me why. Yet I can very clearly remember, during the days following my father's death, friends bringing over meals and desserts and my brothers and our families gathering at my mother's house all together for the first time in the past...decade? I'm not even sure how long. Those meals meant so much to me. My mother wrote thank-you notes and I sent my own set, I was so appreciative.
So for those who have provided food (either something in the form of a meal or dessert), what did you bring? What works well for something like this? And if you don't mind, could you post the recipe? It sounds silly, but I really want to be able to pay back the kindness others have shown my family or pay forward to someone else who is grieving.
Thanks for your help!
I started sending homemade chicken vegetable soup or a platter of chopped fresh fruit ... pineapple is always special, grapes, apple slices dipped in citrous juice.
I started sending homemade chicken vegetable soup or a platter of chopped fresh fruit ... pineapple is always special, grapes, apple slices dipped in citrous juice.
My Mom died the end of January. My brother-in-law comes from a wonderful big Polish family and ALL of them came to support us at the funeral home. One of his sister-in-laws brought a huge pot of delicious homemade chicken noodle soup. It was so comforting and provided much needed nourishment, especially for my 89 yr. old father.
My Mom died the end of January. My brother-in-law comes from a wonderful big Polish family and ALL of them came to support us at the funeral home. One of his sister-in-laws brought a huge pot of delicious homemade chicken noodle soup. It was so comforting and provided much needed nourishment, especially for my 89 yr. old father.
I've brought breakfast for the day of funeral. Juice, muffins, granola bars, fruit. The family is usually so busy in the morning, they all appreciated having something nourishing and quick to eat.
I've brought breakfast for the day of funeral. Juice, muffins, granola bars, fruit. The family is usually so busy in the morning, they all appreciated having something nourishing and quick to eat.
Some very helpful things people brought to my family after a death were: sliced turkey and ham, different types of bread and cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, deviled eggs, potato salad, iced tea, coffee, cokes, crackers, soups, paper plates and napkins, plastic tablewear, cakes, cupcakes, cookies. It is helpful when several friends jointly plan to bring different foods on different days.
Of course it is great to have someone answer the phone, the door, and keep records of calls and food brought by whom, etc.
I hope this helps. Casseroles are wonderful also. God bless.
Some very helpful things people brought to my family after a death were: sliced turkey and ham, different types of bread and cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, deviled eggs, potato salad, iced tea, coffee, cokes, crackers, soups, paper plates and napkins, plastic tablewear, cakes, cupcakes, cookies. It is helpful when several friends jointly plan to bring different foods on different days.
Of course it is great to have someone answer the phone, the door, and keep records of calls and food brought by whom, etc.
I hope this helps. Casseroles are wonderful also. God bless.
We've tried to bring a sliced ham, and salads from the store, ready made in the containers because they are easy to just pull out and single serve, or set on the counter for all to enjoy. Works well when you have convelesing friends also.
We've tried to bring a sliced ham, and salads from the store, ready made in the containers because they are easy to just pull out and single serve, or set on the counter for all to enjoy. Works well when you have convelesing friends also.
Missy, Both my husband and I love to cook and will remember this tip. I did take several cheeses, red and green grapes and crackers to my Aunts funeral and the family was very thankful. Since I came in from out of town this was easy enough to pick up at any grocery store. It was a last minute thought and was very much appreciated by my cousins. My nephew and his wife brought this to my Father's funeral and it was very nice. Bringing food to the home is a very good idea. Thanks for the discussion.
Missy, Both my husband and I love to cook and will remember this tip. I did take several cheeses, red and green grapes and crackers to my Aunts funeral and the family was very thankful. Since I came in from out of town this was easy enough to pick up at any grocery store. It was a last minute thought and was very much appreciated by my cousins. My nephew and his wife brought this to my Father's funeral and it was very nice. Bringing food to the home is a very good idea. Thanks for the discussion.
If soup is too difficult to transport, I know people often appreciate comfort food casseroles like goulash or another pasta dish or even something chocolate, like brownies. Those things were brought to our family and they were much appreciated b/c they were easy and comforting.
If soup is too difficult to transport, I know people often appreciate comfort food casseroles like goulash or another pasta dish or even something chocolate, like brownies. Those things were brought to our family and they were much appreciated b/c they were easy and comforting.
My friend brought us a spaghetti dinner.... meatballs, spaghetti, rolls, cheese. It was great.
My friend brought us a spaghetti dinner.... meatballs, spaghetti, rolls, cheese. It was great.
All these responses are very good. In Jewish tradition people gather for Shivah at the house of mourning for 7 days, minus Friday night (Shabbat). Sometimes people "sit Shivah" for three nights or even one. It is customary to bring food. I have observed that there is usually an abundance of desserts, so I like to bring cut up vegetables or fruit. Also, soft drinks and bottled water are always needed. However, the original intent in bringing food is to feed the mourners, and simple foods were brought--round foods like hard boiled eggs to symbolize the circle of life. If you find yourself making a condolence call, Jewish or not, take a look around and ask the mourners if you can make them a plate, or ask someone if they have eaten. It is also helpful to take out the trash, clean up, etc. without asking or being asked. I found it so comforting to have people over every night when my father died ten years ago.
All these responses are very good. In Jewish tradition people gather for Shivah at the house of mourning for 7 days, minus Friday night (Shabbat). Sometimes people "sit Shivah" for three nights or even one. It is customary to bring food. I have observed that there is usually an abundance of desserts, so I like to bring cut up vegetables or fruit. Also, soft drinks and bottled water are always needed. However, the original intent in bringing food is to feed the mourners, and simple foods were brought--round foods like hard boiled eggs to symbolize the circle of life. If you find yourself making a condolence call, Jewish or not, take a look around and ask the mourners if you can make them a plate, or ask someone if they have eaten. It is also helpful to take out the trash, clean up, etc. without asking or being asked. I found it so comforting to have people over every night when my father died ten years ago.
You know what someone else did that was really appreciated, now that I think about it? Someone packaged up all the leftover food in small portions from the gathering after my father's funeral and put it in my mom's freezer so she'd have easy meals down the road.
You know what someone else did that was really appreciated, now that I think about it? Someone packaged up all the leftover food in small portions from the gathering after my father's funeral and put it in my mom's freezer so she'd have easy meals down the road.