Bereavement Meals

When someone we know passes away, our first instinct is to help the closest members of his or her family. We want to give a meaningful, heartfelt gift, and if possible to ease their pain or help them through this most difficult time. That gift is most often food.

Here are some tips for buying or making bereavement meals.

1. Ask the family about food intolerances, special diets or allergies. You don't want to deliver a pasta dish to someone who is gluten-intolerant. MagicKitchen.com has a special menu for those who need special dietary need meals, which are reheated in the microwave, if you are nervous about cooking for a special diet.

2. Many people will be delivering casseroles and baked pasta dishes. These are good, hearty meals that reheat well and freeze well. But it's possible the family will tire of them. Think of preparing a fresh fruit salad or a fruit and vegetable platter.

3. Whatever meals you bring or make for the grieving family, be sure it is not in a returnable container. Buy a big foil pan, or plastic dishes that don't need to be returned.

4. A large cooked ham, roast beef or turkey breast is appreciated. It can be sliced and eaten with a salad or side dish, or put into a quick sandwich. MagicKitchen.com's Roasted whole Turkey Breast is ideal for this purpose.

5. Loaves of bread, breakfast items, cut up snack veggies, fruit, condiments, paper plates, napkins and drinks like soda and juices would be a thoughtful addition.

6. Sweets are often appreciated. If you're not close, consider a MagicKitchen.com dessert bundle.

7. If there are a few people who aren't close in distance to the bereaved family, but who are close in heart, consider a group gift certificate from MagicKitchen.com. This gift can come in handy once everything settles down, and the grieving family are still not energetic enough to cook for themselves.

8. Ask the family if they would be up to a dinner at a friends' home. Everyone deals with grief differently, and sometimes a night away from home is very welcome.

9. Ask if there will be children present. If so, child friendly foods are great. Ideas might be Mac and Cheese, Tomato Soup and cheese sandwiches, sloppy joes, or a chicken dinner.

10. Try cooking recipes which are lighter and with lower calories. Most comfort food is heavy on the cheese and pasta, something lighter would be welcome. Try some of Cooking Light's Chicken Piccata Meatballs, or if at a distance, send a few of MagicKitchen.com's portion controlled meals.

Remember, after the first week or so is over, the immediate family, the wife or husband and children, are left to deal with their grief on their own. This can be the hardest and loneliest time, as people assume they want to be alone. Check in now and then. Call or Skype, or if you are close, bring over some bath salts or another small gift. At this time, human contact is important. Food and nutrition is still important as well, and now is the time for a MagicKitchen.com Gift Certificate or bundle of bereavement meals.