30 Beautiful Sympathy Gift Ideas for Loss of Mother

Today we’re talking about sympathy gift ideas for the loss of a mother.

When someone loses their mother, they have quite literally lost their first love. The one who gave them life. The first voice they ever heard. Maybe even the one who gave them a second chance at life.

To lose a parent is one of the greatest losses a person will ever face, and all of us have to face this realization at some point in our lives.

If you know someone who has recently had to say goodbye to their mom, you’re probably looking for a sympathy gift that is beautiful and will also bring this person a sense of peace and comfort.

Below, we’ve gathered a list featuring 30 sympathy gifts, each possessing both of those qualities. Let’s take a look together, and find the best sympathy gift to help your loved one through this next chapter of life.

30 Sympathy Gifts for Loss of a Mother

Each of these unique sympathy gifts is perfect for your loved one who is going through the difficult time of losing their mother.

1. Personalized Memorial Bird Feeder

Bird feeders make excellent sympathy gifts for the loss of a mother. Especially when they come personalized!

This gorgeous memorial bird feeder features the silhouette of a bird on a branch, and the front panel comes custom laser etched with the name and dates of your loved one’s mom.

Constructed of sturdy cedar wood and measuring 10.5″ high, you can also easily include a thoughtful gift note to the recipient.

2. Bracelet with Handwritten Engraving

Imagine the joy you’ll see on your loved one’s face when they recognize their mother’s familiar handwriting once again, only this time on a piece of wearable jewelry.

All you have to do is upload the signature, and Caitlin Minimalist will engrave it into a bracelet with the color finish of your choice (silver, gold, or rose gold). Each bracelet is a 925 sterling silver and can be made to a custom length.

3. “Open When” Handwritten Letters

Even in this technologically advanced age, there is still nothing that shows someone cares quite as much as a handwritten letter. For a unique memorial gift to help remember their mother, consider this simple yet profound “Open When” gift idea.

This scrapbook-style envelope book allows you to insert your own handwritten letters to your loved one who is grieving the loss of their mother. At any given time, when they need it most, they can open a letter from you and read your words of comfort.

Because you know your friend best, and what they need to hear (or read) to bring a smile back to their face, this keepsake letter book will literally be the gift that keeps on giving.

4. Prayer Bowl

Sometimes, the best way to honor the loss of a mother is simply through prayer. The power of prayer brings us closer together, even when we are apart… and even when the veil of Heaven is yet in between us.

This stunning, hand-carved prayer bowl is perfect for encouraging those who are grieving to keep their eyes on Who their help comes from. Each wood bowl is meticulously crafted and comes with a bundle of 24 prayer cards. A gift box is included.

5. Floral Heart Personalized Memorial Plaque

This elegant floral heart memorial plaque would make the perfect memory gift for a friend who just recently lost their mother, or who is coming up to the anniversary of her death. It features a comforting saying and also comes personalized with their mom’s name and years of birth and death.

The plaque is handcrafted in Oregon, constructed of long-lasting alder wood and birch ply, and comes in your choice of two different sizes.

6. Letters to Mom

We’ve already mentioned it before, but writing letters is the way to go for expressing emotion of any kind. That goes for the experience of losing a parent, as well.

With this precious gift idea, your loved one is given the space to write their mom a letter as if she were still here to read it. A beautiful way to help your friend get out of their own head, this letter journal will serve as both a tool for healing, as well as a keepsake, for years to come.

7. Remembrance Birdhouse

There’s just something about birdhouses that reminds us to slow down, and take life one day at a time.

Birdhouses allow us to witness, season after season, life unfolding before our eyes. Coupled with the special message of the cardinal, “When cardinals appear, you know loved ones are near,” birdhouses make soothing and inspiring memorial gifts for the loss of a mother.

This gorgeous memorial birdhouse is made of sturdy pine and plywood, and wrapped with vinyl. It can be situated on a fence, tree, or pole, or even set inside the home in a special place.

8. Modern Remembrance Suncatcher

Suncatchers are almost spiritual in the sense that they seem to capture and transform sunlight into something ethereal, right before our eyes.

That said, this is no ordinary stained glass suncatcher…this gem is literally a diamond in the rough, a crystal prism designed to brighten your loved one’s life with color once again, even in the midst of their grief over the loss of their mom.

This crystal remembrance suncatcher has been crafted with high-intensity refraction technology. It comes with a 17″ chain, as well as a wall hanger, for wider options of placement.

9. Memorial Pie Pan w/ Handwritten Recipe

We couldn’t pass this one up. It’s a ceramic pie pan personalized with mom’s handwritten recipe. Choose a favorite recipe card, scan it in, and the artist will replicate the details on the inside of the tin.

Every time you bake that famous dish, you’ll remember the sweet memories and aromas of mom’s cooking. It’s the perfect remembrance gift.

10. Bereavement Gift Basket

Memorial gifts for the loss of moms come in all shapes and sizes…sometimes it’s hard to pick just one thing! In this case, consider the versatility of sympathy gift baskets. A gift basket is another “gift that keeps on giving,” and a meaningful way to comfort your loved one and to let them know you are there for them.

With this bereavement gift basket, the hard work of deciding what exactly to put in the basket is already done for you.

This basket is customizable and features lots of cozy things to make life right now a little more bearable, such as a candle, fuzzy socks, a tumbler, a succulent plant, and more.

11. Custom Engraved Memorial Tumbler

Next, we have this personalized memorial tumbler from Northwest Gifts. It can be therapeutic to receive a sympathy gift that can be seen and used every single day. A gift like this tumbler fits the bill perfectly for coffee/tea/smoothie enthusiasts and is also a unique way to let your loved one know you care.

The mug comes engraved with the name and dates of your loved one’s mother and is available in seven different colors.

It is also double-walled and vacuum-sealed to ensure that whatever drink is inside stays piping hot (or ice cold) for hours upon end. The Polar Camel tumblers are comparable to the much more expensive YETI brand, so you know you’re getting a high-quality deal at a fraction of the cost.

12. Remembrance Willow Tree Figure

When it comes to thoughtful sympathy gifts, you can’t go wrong with Willow Tree. This charming Willow Tree figure will serve as a sweet reminder for your friends of the undying love between them and their mom. It’s a cast of the original “Chrysalis” sculpture by artist Susan Lordi. It measures 9″ high and is hand-painted to perfection.

13. Custom Photo Memorial Candle

Candles have been used for hundreds of years to honor the memory of those who have gone before us. The flicker of the flame serves as a gentle reminder that love lives on inside of our hearts, even as the souls of the departed live on in heaven.

This beautiful custom memorial candle is extra special as it includes a photo of the person who has passed away; in this case, a beloved mother. As long as you have a photo, you are good to go…this Etsy shop takes care of the rest.

14. Guided Grief Remembrance Journal

Everyone’s grief journey is unique to their own experiences, but there is one thing that connects them all – happy memories.

With this unique grief journal serving as a guide, your loved one will be gently encouraged to remember not the sad moments of losing their mother, but rather the happier moments shared between the two of them through the years.

This hardcover journal measures 8″ x 10″ and is illustrated with a gorgeous starry night theme. Includes a personalized, handwritten “Thinking of You” card.

15. Remembering Mom Pocket Token

A mother’s memory is held close in the heart, but in grief, sometimes it helps to have something physical to hold onto, as well. Enter this little yet meaningful pocket token.

1.5″ in diameter and available in a variety of stained wood, this token is a great way to express that you care about your loved one and what they are going through right now, while also providing them with a tiny bit of comfort as they go about their day.

You know what they say…big things come in small packages.

16. Grief Affirmation Cards

Words have power, and most people are good at getting a point across. Yet when it comes to relating to someone who is mourning, especially over the loss of their mother, it’s unfortunately easy to feel at a loss for words.

If that’s how you are feeling, take a closer look at these grief affirmation cards. They take everything you want to tell your loved one, and pack it into a pack of 20 cards, for on-the-go comfort.

Each card measures 3.3″ x 3″. They are printed on laminate art paper, and come with a muslin carry case for ease of travel.

17. Cardinal Wind Chime

“Cardinals appear when loved ones are near.” We’ve mentioned it before. If you’re out one day and see one of these pretty red birds, and this quote comes to mind, it can be a source of great comfort.

Similarly, someone who has just lost their mother may find comfort in seeing this cardinal memorial wind chime every day, and hearing its gentle music ringing in the breeze.

18. 3D Remembrance Photo

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, multiply that in 3D, and see what kind of stories and memories come to the surface.

With one of these 3D crystal portraits, your loved one will have more than a photo to remember their mother by…they’ll have a physical, almost holographic representation of their beautiful mom and of happy memories spent together.

These 3D portraits would make an especially sweet loss of mother gift for daughter.

19. Memorial Garden Stone

This beautiful memorial garden stone will serve as both a charming addition to your loved one’s garden, and also a sweet reminder of their late mother.

It’s made of long-lasting polystone resin and has also been finished to protect it against the outdoor elements for years to come. The memorial stone measures 11.5″ x 11.5″.

20. DIY Memory Jar

If you’ve made it this far, I hope you’ve found some inspiration for condolence gifts that will help them remember their mom. If you haven’t quite yet, may I suggest going the homemade route?

Homemade gifts are the best gifts, after all, so if that’s more of what you are looking for, take inspiration from this precious DIY memory jar.

This jar from Personalization Mall is made of glass and acacia wood, and comes customized with up to four lines of text. You can include your own handwritten memories in the jar, or choose to fill it with your friend’s favorite candy or snack (or their mom’s). Pick from two sizes.

21. “In Loving Memory” Photo Blanket

The comfort of their mother’s love will continue on when you give your loved one this personalized memorial blanket.

Your loved one’s new blanket can be custom-made to feature a photo of your friend with their mom. Choose between six different frame styles as well as four different fabrics: fleece, contrast stitch fleece, Sherpa, or velveteen.

22. Red Cardinal Cross Necklace

As you know by now, the lore of cardinals is that they signify a loved one is near. When your friend wears this necklace, they will be reminded every time they put it on that their mother is near to them, in spirit.

This beautiful piece of jewelry is made of sterling silver, with a red cardinal bird set against the backdrop of a glorious cross. Memorial jewelry like this stunning necklace is becoming more and more popular, as is cremation jewelry.

23. From My Mom Up Above

As many of us would agree, there’s nothing like a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. If your friend who is grieving over their mother is a coffee drinker, they would no doubt appreciate a new mug, even if their cupboard is already full of them!

This coffee mug is cute yet durable, and displays a special message of comfort. It is dishwasher and microwave safe, and comes in two different sizes.

24. Build a Memorial Website

These days, social media keeps us together. No matter how spread out we all are from one another, we know we can simply log into a website or app, and instantly be connected once again with our loved ones.

25. Memorial Star Registration

Another unique sympathy gift for the loss of a mother is this memorial star registration. The idea is simple: you pick a star, and name it (perhaps after a friend’s late mother), and boom, it’s registered forever with that name.

Registered stars are selected using an algorithm, so that the star you pick for your loved one is always visible from where they live. A customized star map and certificate are issued, and access to the register’s star finder app is granted.

This may be an especially meaningful gift for young children who need some extra guidance in processing their loss.

26. Personalized Sympathy Votive

Votive candles make the perfect accompaniment to prayer, meditation, or alone time. If you are hoping to give your loved one a simple yet meaningful gift that they can enjoy over and over again, and also remember their mother by, this pretty votive candle holder may be just what you’re looking for.

Personalize it with a name and date. A candle is optional with your purchase, or you can always include your own scented candle. A signature gift box is included.

27. Fresh Fruit Sympathy Basket

Food speaks when words can’t. When someone experiences a pain like the pain of losing a mother, it’s easy to forget to take care of oneself in the midst of taking care of everything else that needs to be done. Remind your friends that you are there to help care for them during this difficult time, by gifting them this fabulous gourmet fruit basket.

Included in this sympathy fruit basket are pears, apples, oranges, nuts, chocolates, and dried fruits…perfect for keeping up strength and spirit.

28. Personalized Loss of Loved One Memorial Tile

There’s no question that personalized gifts make the best keepsakes. Take this impressive keepsake tile gift, for example.

Personalized to represent your friend’s mom, this ceramic tile also depicts a comforting quote sure to bring a smile. Watch with love as happy tears fill your friend’s eyes as they open their special gift just from you.

Each tile measures 6″ x 6″ and comes with cork backing, as well as a decorative stand.

29. Engraved Glass Memorial Picture Frame

Gone are the picture frames of old that hold a photo…and that’s it. This memorial photo frame is more than a piece of wood or plastic, it’s a way to honor the memory of your loved one’s mother who has gone before them.

Made of glass and featuring a beautiful poem, this frame makes the perfect personalized memorial gift. It can hold either a 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 photo.

30. Remembrance Photo Book

In a similar vein, photo albums are no longer simply a book of paper and plastic sleeves waiting to collect dust in the attic. A Mixbook photo album takes photo albums to the next level, transforming them into keepsake books meant to be handed down from generation to generation.

For your loved one grieving over the loss of their mom, a gift like this customized photo book will turn the sad tears into happy ones, as they flip the pages and relive all the good times they shared with the woman who gave them life.

More Sympathy Gifts for Loss of Mother

For a sympathy gift that’s extra sweet, consider a “Compassion Package” made by Here For You. Each of their unique gift boxes contains items specially tailored to the type of loss your loved one is experiencing.

For example, because they’re dealing with the loss of their mom, you would consider gifting them the Death of Immediate Family Member Compassion Package. This particular gift box is available in two sizes. It contains household essentials that are very much needed but can be easily forgotten in the midst of bereavement.

Besides the gift ideas mentioned above, there are other gift options available that don’t necessarily require you to make a purchase. Here are a few more ideas for you to consider:

• Make your own sympathy gift basket. You know your loved one well; add items that you know they’re sure to appreciate. Things like a candle in their favorite scent, a sympathy card, some favorite snacks, relaxing lotions and soaps, a journal or memory book, and a framed photo of their loved one.
• Offer to help them around the house. When someone is bereaved, everyday tasks like doing the dishes, making the bed, and taking out the trash can easily be overlooked.
• Make them a meal. Eating can also be easily forgotten about. Here’s a guide to bringing sympathy meals.
• Pick them up some fresh-cut flowers. These can serve as a gentle reminder that life goes on.
• Send flowers. It’s the classic, traditional gesture for a reason. It means a lot. For those looking to send a gift long-distance, sympathy flower bouquets are best.
• Get them a tree sapling to plant in memory of their mom. Help them pick a special spot in their yard, and then help them plant it.
• Make them something special. Are you good at knitting or sewing? Knit them a warm sweater or even a pair of super-soft socks. Is scrapbooking more your thing? Make them a special memory book filled with photos of them and their mom during happier times.
• Put together a playlist of uplifting songs, sure to give your loved one a little pick-me-up as they begin this new chapter of their life. You may want to consider including some touching funeral songs for mom, but of course, you don’t want to overdo it. Use your judgment to create the perfect mix.

As you can see, when it comes to finding the perfect gift for someone whose mother died, you have myriad options. Giving the right gift is a wonderful way to provide comfort, and to help them through their grieving process.

It’s also a thoughtful way to remind them that you’re there for them.

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