These are the best sympathy gifts and gift baskets for 2024 to show your support

Grief can sometimes decrease a person's appetite, but they still have to eat! Spoonful of Comfort specializes in sending comfort meals like soups, mac 'n cheese, dinner rolls and cookies. And, they're all really delicious! This set includes two types of soup and two types of diner rolls, a dozen cookies, a silver ladle and a personal note from you. You can choose the flavors and add extras to your gift box if you want, like a cozy throw blanket, chamomile tea and even a stylish Dutch oven. 

Psst! You can also stick with the classic one soup, one dinner roll package — it's a less expensive, but still very thoughtful. 

This candle and succulent set is for those suffering from losing a loved one. When taken care of properly, succulents can last for years and years, and this set comes with a dropper for proper watering. The candle has a citrus lotus blossom scent with the words "Forever Remembered" on the front. Whenever they look at their plant or smell the sweet scent, they can take a moment to think of the one they lost. 

This sweet votive candle holder shines a light through a heart and features the words "There are those who continue to light up the world long after they have gone." It's a sweet way to commemorate and remember someone who has passed, and you can replace the candle inside as needed.

Wind chimes are a common memorial gift — each time the wind blows, it can feel like a "hello" from a lost loved one. You can customize this one with a name, which the Etsy seller will engrave in cursive above the words "hear the wind and think of me."

Send a little comfort or a hug in the form of Cheryl's cookies. This basket comes with a range of treats, including chocolate chip cookies, buttercream-frosted cookies, chocolate-covered pretzels, brownies, blondies and more. There's a little something for everyone in the household.

Peace lilies are a common sympathy gift because they represent hope, purification, rebirth and enduring love. They can live for years with little care, which makes them a low maintenance plant to give — good for those who may not have the capacity to take on a new responsibility at the moment (or who are just not good at caring for plants). 

Weighted blankets offer something called "deep touch pressure," which can feel like a gentle hug or cuddle. Gift someone a blanket that looks like a stylish throw, but offers all the calming benefits of a weighted one — like this knit by Quince. It comes in five colors and weighs 15 pounds. (Keep in mind, the brand recommends you choose a weighted blanket that's 10% of a person's body weight.)

Oprah has named Cozy Earth's bedding and loungewear to her list of "Favorite Things" several times over the years, but its robes are not to be overlooked. They're high-quality luxury and anyone would feel comforted wrapped up in one post-bath. While they are a bit pricey, they do tend to go on sale, so keep an eye out. The brand's Waffle Bath Robe is thick, yet soft and breathable, and it comes in white, light gray or charcoal. 

This all-white bouquet, appropriately called The Peace, can help send your heartfelt sympathy. It features roses, spray roses, veronica, alstroemeria, mums and eucalyptus, with the option to upgrade to larger sizes or send it in a vase. You can also add extra calming gifts like bath bombs, essential oils, candles and more.

Help someone save their memories of a loved one by turning analog tapes into digital files they can save on their computer or phone. This starter kit allows one to turn two old home videos into digitized memories in the format of their choosing (DVD, flash drive or the cloud) for easy viewing and easy duplication. The brand works with a range of video formats, like VHS tapes and Super 8 film. 

Ice cream has a way of curing the worst heartbreaks, at least in rom-coms. If you're sending a gift to someone who's dealing with a breakup or another hard time, a pint of McConnell's may help. You'll have to send a minimum of four pints for shipping, but pick a few and your friend can do an at-home taste test to find a new favorite flavor.

Similar to a weighted blanket, the Nodpod is a weighted sleep mask to help anyone struggling to fall asleep catch more Z's. It has a strap-free design in that it's meant to just lay gently over the eyes, however there's a notch on the back you can use to secure it a little more tightly. In addition to providing "a hug for your head," it can help block out light and it's freezer-friendly, so it could provide some headache relief.

This set of mineral bath salts can help provide relaxation for the body and mind, thanks to its calming lavender scent. While it moisturizes skin and soothes sore muscles, it also provides a bit of aromatherapy. Gift these salts on their own or pair them with a nice candle, bath robe or book. 

Journaling can be healing for some. This grief journal features 88 pages of prompts to commemorate a loved one, practice self-care and memorialize photos. For those who are struggling to work through their feelings, this could be a helpful gesture.

This elegant diffuser provides luxurious aromatherapy like a candle, but without the flame. It's also waterless, so maintenance is as simple as choosing a fragrance. The ultra-fine fragrance mist can fill a room up to 1,000 square feet and cartridges (sold separately) last for up to 30 days. Gift it with one of the brand's SereneScents to help someone relax and make any room smell like a spa.

Some gifts provide comfort, and this blanket does in the literal sense. This cozy throw is the perfect couch companion for watching movies, journaling, reading a book or napping. It comes in a range of colors to match one's home and a few larger sizes if you want to gift a blanket they can share.

This sympathy gift basket has a little something for everyone: cheeses, crackers, nuts, salsa, chips, meats, chocolate and more. Each gift arrives in a hand-crafted wooden crate with a ribbon tied around it, and you can adjust the size you send from petite to large. It's a sweet and salty gift to send when someone might not feel like leaving their home to grocery shop or will be having plenty visitors.

For anyone who's lost a pet, you can find sweet custom portraits like this one on Etsy. It's a nice way to commemorate a family dog, cat or other furry friend. You can choose just the painted print or opt for a complimentary frame as well.