Meals for the Freezer as a Gift - bereaved friend. Recommendations...?

[JemimaPyjamas]

A very dear friend has lost her son. She is utterly distraught, obviously. Well, many of us are. Its truly dreadful.

As well as emotional support, I was wondering about sending some nice food that can go in the freezer until needed as I'm worried about her being able to take care of herself. She lives with her partner who's also in pieces so he might not be up for much cooking either. Other than the obvious M&S, where else might be an option...?

Also, any other practical or sensible suggestions that may help, would be welcome! I'm a bit all over the place so it's hard to think clearly.

Sadly I've been in your friend's position.
To be honest we lived on takeaways. Several members of my family were staying with us it was easier to order food in.
My sister did make Soup, Curries that she froze. I was in shock and could hardly boil the kettle.

My thoughts are with your friend no parent should have to bury their child it's heartbreaking.

Sorry about your friends, what a tragic thing to happen. Do they want help with fresh food shopping, could you offer to do this for them, if they want freezer foods then Cook are very nice. Do they have extended family, are they getting support in all the funeral arrangements.

Thank you for your replies. Yes, they are in deep shock, they have also just moved into a house which is being semi renovated so even though they have a cooker and worktops, it's all very dusty. This certainly won't help with the food side.

I was looking at Cook, they look good - have you tried them? I can also make and freeze things but I'm kind of wondering if ready made might actually work better. It's hard to decide under the circs.

@ParkheadParadise this is the problem, sort of, they are a bit sick of takeaways anyway as they moved and then renovated the kitchen!

I would go with Cook type ready meals. Homemade meals are lovely but perhaps not at first in case they feel they need to be thanking you for them and that makes them anxious.

Cook are expensive and you need to be careful as they are not always full meals, you can order a beef casserole but you need veg or rice separately.

How very sad for your friend, and all those around them. What a thoughtful person you are too OP, thinking practically will be so helpful I’m sure. I haven’t used Cook, but a lot on here do recommend them. My only other thoughts or suggestion would be some simple baked goods too, like frozen croissants or similar - quick and easy to heat up, and / or if you can bake, maybe a couple of Madeira type cakes, or fruit cakes or banana bread. I’m thinking sugar and comfort type baking so if they don’t actually feel like eating they can at least have a slice of cake to keep them going.

Thank you for the suggestions and tips - I really appreciate it (and it's making me cry!) It looks like Cook might be worth it despite the cost. I've looked at M&S / Ocado but it's not quite doing it. Smoothies and possibly small things to nibble might also help, what do you think? I'm quite knackered so open to suggestion and also struggling to think!

This is obviously only my personal experience, but 'meals' kind of ceased to exist for quite a while. It was too much to think about. It felt easier to live off snacks instead, so things like crackers, popcorn, ready made fruit salad, supermarket sandwiches. Anything that felt like an effort made me feel guilty, which is utterly irrational. And then I felt guilty for throwing out all of the meals well meaning people made & gave to us, but even just setting the table was a bit beyond me.

I'm sure some people will say that actually sticking to things like meal times really helped them, and I think it probably does, but I know that 'little but often' food was what we needed. I'm so sorry for your friends loss, and for yours too

We were in your friends position and someone sent us a big box of Cook freezer food. I don’t remember any of it requiring sides or anything like that. It was a helpful thing as organising shopping and cooking was the last thing we wanted to do.

Homemade soup is what I'd go for. In 2 person portions. Easy to reheat and minimal efforts for sides. Lentil freezes well.
Poor poor parents

This is all enormously helpful. Thank you x

I would be surprised if your friends could eat a full meal.
Our house was very busy in the early day's with police, family liaison officer was there constantly, family and friends. My sister would make breakfast rolls for everyone then make plates of sandwiches and cakes.

Does your friend have someone staying that would make meals if not I wouldn't bother with full meals?

You do need to order sides with some Cook meals, they have a 10% off atm and the food is very good quality. Are they doing ok with household items like loo roll and toiletries.

\Agree with PPs who have said they will need to be encouraged to eat to keep themselves going. And won't want to eat much.

So yes to soups, including chicken soup, in small freezer portions. Anything like dips and pates with ryvita or whatever. Tomatoes, salad and fruit.

I've made a basket of small one pot meals and sides, I agree that neither are going to be very hungry but may be tempted if it's nice enough and also small enough to almost be nibbled at. I can't order it yet as i don't know what's happening when (life support has been switched off only a few hours ago) but will when I do.
Thank you all again for help and suggestions - I'm sorry so many of you can relate.

Cook meals are lovely

I wonder if parsley boxes would be more helpful?

www.parsleybox.com/menu/dinner/?gclid=CjwKCAiA6seQBhAfEiwAvPqu1xr-OlI6Z-88_nF4HuaGIWU5fPdkSDPLwf1hCVm3At48Tg1a8gK7yhoCBQMQAvD_BwE

They are stored in the cupboard so no need to think about defrosting etc and also small portions.

Something like a graze box might be helpful? Someone on here will probably have a code for an offer. Just something to nibble on, as you said. It's hard to know what the right thing to do is, but your friend is lucky to have someone like you.

How hard for the family - and for you and all those impacted, OP.

We used mealtrain for a friend who was recovering from surgery - we all signed up to a particular day and then turned up at the door with a home-cooked meal (friend gave us a general window she wanted the food to arrive). Worked really well and might be an idea here. Some people took meals that could be heated, and others arrived with it hot.

www.mealtrain.com/

Thanks again

My suggestion would be to stock them up with tea, coffee, milk, sugar and biscuits. They will likely have a stream of visitors paying respects so these basic will be welcome I am sure.