Embroidered Lace Butterfly

In many cultures, butterflies are seen as embodiments of the soul. The butterfly's metamorphosis from an earthbound caterpillar to a winged creature symbolizes rebirth in its most joyful form.

This handmade embroidered lace butterfly pin or clip, from Sussies and Such at Etsy, could be a soothing "I'm thinking of you" gift for someone going through loss. It could also be used to embellish a flower arrangement, or worn on a lapel. A sweet spin on an otherwise somber event.

Bandage Rings

I really love these Pflasterringe bandage rings by Kay Eppi Nokle. They're cast in various metals to look like band aids. Although they relate more to a broken nail than a broken heart, I think they say "I hurt" in a sweet and subtle way. Perhaps this is the new era of mourning jewelry!

Sympathy Blanket

Blankets are the ultimate "comfort food". As children we cling to our security blankets, and when we're under the weather we wrap ourselves in their warm protection. I love warm fuzzy blankets, so perhaps this is why I find this item so touching - a sympathy blanket from Embroidery Outlet on Etsy. Embroidered on this cotton woven throw are the words "In this time of sorrow wrap yourself in love," along with the name of the loved one. The cost is only $40 and especially appropriate if you can't be there in person to offer a hug. It can be shipped directly to the mourner, wrapped with a ribbon and a personalized card. What a great alternative to flowers, which only last a few days. This blanket provides warmth, and lasts as long as it is needed.


When the grief passes, I think this blanket would be a meaningful way to wrap momentos and other keepsakes.

Memorial Candles

I find remembrance candles comforting. They are something we should have on hand when we need the reassurance that our loved ones may be gone, but their warmth and love continues to shine on us.

Domestic Divas Fancy's candles are custom designed, and if you are struggling to find the right words, this seller offers a selection of heartfelt poems. Here's one option:

We thought of you with love today
But that is nothing new
We thought of you yesterday
And days before that too
We think of you in silence
We often speak you name{s}
Those we love dont go away
They're with us everyday
Unseen, Unheard, but always there
Although it seems unfair
Your memory is our keepsake
With which we'll never part
God has you in his keeping
You're forever in our hearts

Plantable Sympathy Cards

Here's a lovely idea that's both eco-friendly and poetic - sympathy cards made from plantable paper. Created by Greetings That Grow on Etsy, these cards (and envelopes) are embedded with a variety of organic flowering seeds, sure to bring a bevy of hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden.


This is a terrific concept for so many reasons. When we lose someone we love, we receive many sympathy cards. But do we really want to save them? By planting these cards, the sentiments are made manifest by the return of lovely flowers. Although we may have lost someone, we are reminded how life goes on, and how beautiful it can be.

Greetings That Grow also offers plantable tags/favors that could be given out at a service. Appropriately enough, the seeds contained in the favors are Forget Me Nots.


Please contact Greetings That Grow for custom orders.

Keepsake Shelves

How do we hold on to the momentos that remind us of our loved ones? I'm not a big believer in "shrines" - there's no beginning or end to them. And the word "shrine" feels like we need to worship, when really all we want to do is remember. But I love the idea of a keepsake shelf.


Sawdusty's Cabin at Etsy creates "Farmhouse Primitives" - shelf sitters, racks, signs, rolling pin/spice racks, the kinds of things you'd imagine in your great grandmother's kitchen. They evoke a specific mood and era, and seem like the perfect way to remember the vintage pictures, salt shakers, flour sifters, and other items that get handed down. I especially like how they feel at home in the kitchen, because let's face it - most of the items we inherit from our ancestral womenfolk are going to be from the kitchen.


Sawdusty's Keepsake Shelves, however, can be placed anywhere. I think they'd look especially nice as part of a bookshelf, holding grandma's old bible or grandpa's pipe. All those items we keep stored away because we don't know what to do with them finally have a home.