Men are, according to the stereotype, difficult to shop for. Throw in the unpredictably raw emotions of grief, and you may discover that sympathy gifts for men are really difficult to find.
But it shouldn’t be that way.
If you have a friend or family member who is grieving the loss of a loved one, and maybe even going through a pretty rough patch with it, giving him a sympathy gift is one of the best ways to show him that you care. And you shouldn’t have to spend too much time (or an arm and a leg) finding the perfect one.
In this list we’ve gathered the 10 best sympathy gifts for men. No matter their personality type, from a memorial tumbler for the more practical type of guy to a remembrance journal for the more sentimental, we have a little something for everyone.
Let’s take a look together.
25 Best Sympathy Gifts for Men
Our website is supported by our users. We sometimes earn a commission when you click through the affiliate links on our website. See our privacy policy & disclosures for more information.
1. Personalized Memorial Tumbler
It can be therapeutic for someone in mourning to receive a sympathy gift that also serves as a practical item that they can use every day.
Take this memorial tumbler, for instance. This high-quality Polar Camel tumbler (comparable to the popular YETI brand) is made of stainless steel, comes double-walled and is also vacuum-sealed for optimum performance.
Best yet, at Northwest Gifts you can get it personalized with a name, dates, and any other text you’d like to add. Choose from seven different colors and multiple sizes, customized in any way you like.
2. Personalized Bottle Opener Sympathy Gift
For a wonderful sympathy gift that is also practical, choose this personalized bottle opener from Urns Northwest.
Urns Made in the USA
With the name of his loved one laser-etched into the wood, every time your friend uses it to pop the top on a cold one, he can “raise a glass” in their memory.
This bottle opener is hand crafted in Oregon using beautiful walnut and maple wood. The opener itself is durable cast iron. Your order will include a screw for easy wall-mounting.
3. Custom Engraved Memorial Bird Feeder
Does he like to spend time in the great outdoors? Whether he’s an avid bird watcher or simply likes to relax on the back porch after a long day, a personalized cedar wood bird feeder will show him that you’re thinking of him during this difficult time.
This memorial bird feeder comes personalized with the name of his loved one on the front acrylic panel, as well as any other text you’d like to add. It measures 10 1/2″ tall and you have the option of including a sympathy note.
4. Engraved Glass Memorial Photo Frame
This exquisite memorial frame is made of heavy weight beveled glass, and is laser engraved to create a one-of-a-kind piece to be treasured. The sweet poem is such a wonderful reminder, and you can have it inscribed with your loved one’s name and dates, too. An instant heirloom.
Related: Photo Memorial Ideas
5. Restorative Memorial Tree Planted in Their Name
Planting a tree is a very popular (and environmentally-friendly) way to memorialize a loved one. If your loved one is caught up in their grief right now, and you want to remind him that life goes on, this may be just the thing he needs.
With your gift, Trees for a Change will plant a tree (or a grove of trees) in a National Forest area in need of restoration. They’ll send the recipient a card or certificate and include information about how to find the tree online. On their website, the recipient will find maps, photos of the trees being planted, information about the forest area, and more.
All this in honor of his loved one. It’s a truly thoughtful and meaningful sympathy gift for him.
6. Personalized Remembrance Journal
When you’re feeling down, writing about your feelings is beneficial because it helps to get sad or negative thoughts out of your heart and onto paper.
So if your grieving friend or loved one likes to write, consider giving him this personalized faux leather remembrance journal. The faux leather “In Loving Memory” journal includes customization of his loved one’s name, along with dates of birth and death. Choose from several different colors.
7. Here for You Sympathy Box
When you aren’t sure what to give, or want to send them something that just equals pure comfort, these “Here for You” sympathy boxes are just what you’re looking for. Packed with only the most thoughtful and comforting items, these boxes come in several sizes and varieties.
Pick whichever you think would speak to them most, and let them know how much you care.
8. Memorial Garden Stone
Here’s a great sympathy gift idea for the guy that enjoys being outside. Every time he heads out to do some work in the garden, he’ll see this memorial garden stone shining in the sunlight and will remember sweet memories he has of his loved one.
9. Floral Heart Personalized Memorial Plaque
“If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.” That’s the beautiful quote featured on this stunning memorial plaque sympathy gift from Northwest Gifts.
Made in Oregon, the plaque is handcrafted of stained alder wood and birch ply. It also comes personalized with his loved one’s name and years of birth and death, carefully laser-etched inside a pretty floral heart. Choose between two different plaque sizes. You can customize or change the quote upon request.
10. Morse Code Memorial Bracelet
Bracelets can serve as subtle yet meaningful sympathy gifts. Especially when they carry a “hidden” message in Morse code!
This beaded wrap bracelet reads “Until We Meet Again” in Morse code. It’s made of black seed beads and comes with a lobster-style clasp. Included with your gift is an informational card explaining the meaning, so your loved one will know exactly just how special and unique this gift from you is.
11. Personalized Memorial Wind Chime
Windchimes make such wonderful memorial gifts. They’re beautiful, timeless, and you are reminded of your loved one each and every time you hear them dancing in the breeze.
These pretty chimes are expertly crafted of the finest materials, and you can have the pendant engraved with their name and dates, too. Perfect to hang out on the porch, or even indoors in a sunny window.
12. 3D Memorial Glass Portrait
These 3D crystal portraits are so special, and will become instant keepsakes. Photographs are wonderful, yes, but there’s something about a 3D portrait that makes your loved one feel so close.
Beautifully crafted from your favorite image by the artisans at The 3D Gift, each crystal memorial is a unique work of art. You can also choose a lighted base to illuminate the portrait if you like.
13. Engraved Fingerprint Pocket Knife
A wonderfully personal memorial gift, these custom, laser engraved pocket knives are sure to become heirlooms. Each pocket knife is crafted of beautiful cherry wood, then laser engraved on the handle with either your loved one’s name, fingerprint, or both!
You can also have the blade engraved, too, if you wish. This is one keepsake that can be passed down from generation to generation.
14. The Light Remains Healing Bracelet
A beautiful bracelet full of deep meaning and hopes of healing and peace. The variety of stones in this bracelet all represent different forms of healing: strength, inner peace, balance, protection, light, and more. They’ll find comfort in the visual reminder of the healing they’re striving toward. Comes wonderfully gift packaged, as well.
15. Custom Memorial Bookmark
These sweet bookmarks are perfect for the family, or even to pass out at the memorial service. You can add your favorite picture of your loved one, and even customize the design. Place them in all of your go-to books, your Bible, or heirloom cookbooks, and you’ll always feel close to them.
16. Pet Memorial Blanket
Was your fur baby’s favorite spot snuggling with you on the couch? Perhaps the armchair or the bed? Wherever their cuddle spot was, one of these sweet blankets would be welcome. The folks over at Fur Baby Prints will take your favorite picture and turn it into a one-of-a-kind blanket.
You thought your days of cuddles were over, but they’ve just begun. You can treasure these special gifts for years to come.
17. Memorial Soundwave Plaque
These soundwave plaques are such beautiful and unique memorial gifts. Send the artisans over at Art Feelings Hall a picture and a song or personal voice memo from your loved one, and they will turn it into a special piece of art.
Each time you wish to hear the audio clip, just scan the QR code with your phone and it will play. Keep their memory close with one of these neat gifts.
18. Sympathy Fruits & Sweets Basket
Because sometimes they need to be reminded to take care of themselves, too. During a time of loss, it’s all too easy to forget to properly nourish yourself, and meals often get neglected. This beautiful basket of fruits and snacks will be so welcome, and it will remind them that you are there for them and looking out for them.
Related: Sympathy Meal Ideas
19. Heaven in Our Home Candle Holder
This pretty, engraved glass hurricane is so lovely, and will look wonderful on your table or bookcase. A delicate reminder that while your dear one may have gone, their love and memory live on each and every day in your home. Have it custom engraved with their name and dates to make it even more special.
20. Comfort Pocket Stone
Comfort stones (sometimes called worry stones) can be extremely helpful items for those who have experienced a loss. This beautiful agate piece is a wonderful example. Formed with a thumb sized indent in the center, they simply hold the stone between their thumb and index finger, and rub it when they feel anxious, stressed, or tense. Small and discrete, it can easily be slipped into a pocket or purse.
21. Engraved Keepsake Box
How pretty are these custom, maple wood keepsake boxes? Keepsake boxes are so wonderful for storing those important mementos and memories like pictures, jewelry, trinkets and more.
Expertly crafted by hand of the finest wood, have them engraved with your loved one’s name, date, and even a special inscription. A beautiful piece to be cherished.
22. Remembrance Photo Book
The experts at Mixbook will take all of your most cherished photos and memories of your loved one, and turn them into a gorgeous remembrance book. Just select your size, format and layout, and Mixbook will do the rest.
A wonderful way to memorialize someone so dear, and wonderful for future generations, too.
23. Custom Rainbow Paw Print Sun Catcher
Suncatchers don’t get much prettier or sweeter than this! When your beloved pet has crossed the rainbow bridge, these handpainted, glass ornament make wonderful memorials. Have them customized with your pet’s name and maybe a cute cloud or some sweet pawprints. Hang in your sunniest window, or perhaps in the garden for a lovely reminder.
Related: Pet Memorial Gift Guide
24. Even in Darkness Daily Devotional
When the loss just seems so heavy and difficult to face, these grief devotional journals can be so helpful. Even in the deepest darkness hope can be found, and these devotionals are wonderful for remind its reader of such powerful truths.
Beautifully presented and packed with rich, raw authenticity, they will appreciate such a helpful and personal gift.
25. Photo Projection Memorial Necklace
Looking for a pretty way to carry your loved one with you? Then these lovely necklaces are just the thing. While they look like a simple pendant at a glance, hold these neat pieces up to the light to reveal a beloved photo of your friend, spouse, or family member.
You can also shine a light through the pendant to project the image onto the wall. So special.
More Meaningful Sympathy Gift Ideas for Men
Helen Keller once said, “The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or even touched, but felt in the heart.”
Sometimes the very best sympathy gifts can’t even be bought. If you’re looking for a sympathy gift for men that is just as thoughtful as those presented above, but not necessarily one that you have to purchase, take a look at some of these great ideas:
- Cook. Make him a delicious and nutritious meal. When grieving, eating can be hard to do and even easier to forget about. Cook or bake his favorite dish to help him out, or go the extra mile and create him an entire meal.
- Meals. Start a meal train on his behalf. Get friends and family in on it…everyone picks a day of the week or month to provide him a meal.
- DIY. Into sewing or crafting? Create for him something that he could really use and that would provide him some comfort at the same time. Think blankets, socks, PJ’s, beanies, a house robe. Maybe even a teddy bear or memory bear like this one.
- Donations. Make a charity donation in his name or in memory of his departed loved one.
- Memory book. Create a photo album or scrapbook featuring pictures of all the good times with his loved one.
- Portrait. Paint him a picture of his loved one. (Or have one commissioned from a professional artist like Mary Ann.)
- Curated gift basket. Create your own gift basket for him filled with things you know he’d love.
- Music. Create a playlist of encouraging songs to uplift him when he needs it the most.
It’s the thought that counts, after all!
Finding the Perfect Sympathy Gift
This brings us to the end of our list of the 10 best sympathy gifts for men. If you found the perfect gift to give him off our list, we’re glad – that was the goal!
But in the case that your gift search continues, check out all the other great gift ideas available over at Northwest Gifts. We have many items tailored especially to men, and most of them are 100% customizable.
Do you have any other great sympathy gift ideas for guys? Share them with us in a comment below.
