Top Tips on Bringing Food to a Bereaving Family
20 items ranked
When someone passes away, bringing food to the family is one of the most common ways of showing you care. Here's what you can do to make sure your kind gesture isn't an added burden on the family.
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1.
Deliver your food in disposable dishes.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
2.
If you lend a dish you want back, ensure that your name and number are permanently affixed.
There will be dishes all around, and they will probably get washed. It will be too hard for someone else to remember which dish is yours.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
3.
Absolutely do not send a dish that is very valuable to you.
The family may break or misplace it, and you should not put them in a situation to feel guilty.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
4.
Bring a card with your name and what you brought. Include a list of ingredients.
Many people will want to write thank-you notes, and this makes it much easier to stay organized for that. Also, there are likely to be people in the family with allergies, so you absolutely do not want someone to fall ill because of your meal.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
5.
Avoid common food allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, etc.).
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
6.
Avoid common side dishes (like potato salad)
Someone else is bound to bring it, and no one wants to eat that for days on end.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
7.
Bring a prepared salad or washed and sliced fruit.
A lot of the typical potluck-style food isn't healthy, but the family will still need a well-balanced meal. Also, fruit is a good snack option.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
8.
Prepare food like baked potatoes that can be kept warm easily and seasoned to each individual's tastes.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
9.
Bring paper goods like plates, napkins, or paper towels.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
10.
Offer to return to the house to do dishes while the family is away.
Cleaning up the kitchen is quite an undertaking, but the family won't want you underfoot while they're home.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
11.
Coordinate with a group to plan for variety and longevity of meals.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
12.
Bring smaller dishes that are freezer-ready.
Once far-away family members return home, there are fewer people to consume large casseroles. Small dishes that can be stored in the freezer are more convenient.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
13.
Bring ice.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
14.
Prepare kid-friendly, no-mess food (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, corn dogs, etc.)
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
15.
Bring food that can sit out for a couple of hours without spoiling.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
16.
Don't forget breakfast items.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
17.
Offer to collect all leftover dishes to distribute them back to their owners.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
18.
Avoid food that appeals to only a few number of people.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
19.
Prepare desserts that needn't be refrigerated.
The fridge will be backed with main-course items, so help save some of that valuable shelf space by bringing cookies instead of cheesecake.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
20.
Supply the condiments that typically accompany your meal.
Chances are that the family already has it, but you don't want someone having to run out at the last minute to pick up ketchup.
0 points - added 12 years ago by laneave -
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