Thoughts on sending fruit for a funeral rather than flowers
 

This is sort of a sad topic but I'd love to hear other views on this. I understand the sending flowers to show the loved one is being thought of but flowers are very expensive these days. It often seems to me the money might be better spent on sending a box of fruit instead. I might not have thought of this but I worked for a while at a call center taking orders for fruit and often encountered this request. I've considered doing it myself in the past but I guess I didn't want to risk hurting someone's feelings by doing something different.

I thought of the Quilting Board the other day as a perfect place to get opinions on this topic. What are your thoughts on this? I know I will once again be faced with this question sooner or later and I think it would help to know how others feel.

My thought is that the family often has extra expenses at this time along with lots of stress. Fresh fruit might work well for munching and also be one less item they have to buy. I think it might be a good idea but I'll make my final decision after I hear other thoughts. Thanks!!

A friend brought me some tea bags when she came to see me after my husband had passed away, as she knew that there would be lots of cups of tea being made with all the visitors. She thought that would be more useful than flowers. Very gratefully received.

There are some fruit bouquets being offered by flower deliver companies (like 1-800-FLOWERS). I did one for a friend who was very impressed with it. Flowers die too quickly so I like plants or comething that lasts longer, one reason I choose to send a "fruit bouquet" if I need something more than a card.

sure, sounds great to me, or if you want to send something more, Omaha steaks has great deals on dinners or meats

When my neighbor's grandson passed, we took over a laundry basket filled with paper towels, tolet paper, Kleenex, coffee, napkins and sugar. There might have been something else, I don't remember. But, it was well appreciated. Think of all the supplies the family goes through when everyone comes in?

When my mother passed away our cousins sent a nice basket filled with snacks. We thought that was a very thoughtful gift.

Colleen

I agree that the flowers are a giant waste of money. I think sending a fruit basket or any of the other things mentioned about to the home would be wonderful.

I don't think I'd send a fruit basket to the actual funeral home, though. It has been my experience at funerals that sorting out who takes what home is just one more decision for the grieving family to work out. I've even seen arguments about this!

That's very thoughtful. Have you ever had an Edible Arrangement? They are delish, pretty, and feed a crowd if you need it for when extended family are around. Another idea...fill a dollar store plastic basket ...like 12 inches square with grab n go snacks. I did that for a mom who lost her husband and has school age kids. She said it was the best gift she got because it took a lot of the stress of packing lunches when the funeral was over and the kids had a routine to carry on. I put a Dole fruit cup with a plastic spoon and into a Ziploc bag. About 12. Plus granola bars, nutrigrain bars, almonds in indiv packets, small Utz chip bags, ie nonperishable snacks. You might think of what routines will be in place afterwards, too. Simply taking one burden off a grieving person is hugely meaningful.

We send fruit baskets and sliced meats in a pretty container. When someone passes, cooking is the last thing they want to do. It always feels good to know food is there. We have had a big pot of chili brought to the next meal after our person passed. We have had pies, cakes, complete meals. It is wonderful. There are a lot of meals to be eaten before and after a funeral. And I know it is appreciated.