Meals for a bereaved friend

[Tigerbreadbum]

Someone close to me has recently lost a parent and rather than flowers I was planning on drop round some snacks (flapjacks, cookies etc) and a few meals.

When my own mum died we were in undated with flowers and it was overwhelming and made me sad when they all died, so keen to avoid that. We had so many people drop round home made meals, without which I think we wouldn’t have eaten properly for the first 10 days at least.

what would be your ‘safe’ meals for someone you don’t know their taste particularly well? I was thinking maybe a lasagne and a bag of salad and a very mild chicken curry with micro rice? But very keen for any better suggestions! I’ll just be dropping on the doorstep and texting her to let her know.

When my.Dad died we didn't eat meals for days. What was helpful was nice biscuits & cakes for visitors but as far as we were concerned one of the most useful food gifts we got was an assortment of sandwiches & picky food that we could graze on between visitors & when we did feel we needed food.

My go to gift under these circumstances is dry shampoo and chewing gum.

Cottage pie and curries for the freezer always seems to be a winner too.

I have heard that it's best to use takeaway containers as it can be hard to keep track of which Tupperware or Pyrex dish belongs to whom...

My friend brought me cottage pie, lasagne, pasta bake and a mild butternut squash curry. All vegetarian so we could all eat it. All easy to reheat. Oh and a big box of chocolate brownies.

You don't know though. I hardly got any flowers when my mum died.

Not for bereavement but, after I had my third baby, my friend cooked a big batch of garlic mac n cheese. Delicious! Spaghetti bolognese is also a good one as easily reheated. I make couscous stuffed peppers which take a few minutes in the microwave to warm through.

Definitely the snacks you suggested.

Shepherd’s pie with the peas and carrots already in it is a winner as all they have to do is heat it up.

Lasagna and a bag of salad sounds perfect.

Nice bread, block of cheddar and some pickle.

You are really kind to help out like this x

When my DM died, friends sent me a) cheese hamper complete with crackers etc b) a Betty's cake hamper and c) half a butchered pig. I appreciate the latter is somewhat individual 😆 but the first two were brilliant because in the first couple of weeks I couldn't eat a proper meal but I just grazed. Soup and a delicious lemon tart feature in my memory. I'd also echo PP who said use individual takeaway containers because the return of dishes was a PAIN...

I have been recently bereaved. I did not want any savoury meals, I've still got some in the freezer which may never be eaten. We liked lots of lovely flowers, tons of biscuits, cake and a big tin of posh muffins

I gave a collection of crackers, butter, cheeses, cold cuts, chutneys, jams, fruit, lots of fruit, biscuits, fruit loaf, tins of soup, tea bags, milk, smoothies, cake for visitors.

Anything to snack upon was welcomed, rather than committing to eating a unknown meal

Agree with PP, although meals is such a kind idea I would have appreciated snacky type quick food more as I didn’t fancy sitting down to a proper meal.
homeade soup with nice bread, cake, cheese and crackers, fruit, crisps, cold meats and salads etc.

TV dinners and micro rice isn't exactly food that many people would want to eat.

But then home made and you have to wash the dish and return it all which doesn’t make life easier.

Just give snacks.

Who else do they live with?

I found when I lost my mum I just couldn't eat, but I had children at home who I needed to keep fed and healthy.

If your friend is likely to need to provide food for others then I would use that as my inspiration and then some of her very favourite snack that's easy to grab and eat.

I did find that the first 2 weeks I was over run with offers of help and plates of food, then everyone disappeared, just at the point where I was expected by work and others to be up and running and when I probably needed help the most.

I ended up making some flapjack, pear cake, cheese and bacon turnovers, chicken salad sandwiches, BLTs and some nice crisps. I just dropped it off hopefully she is home and it will help a tiny bit in the coming days. Thanks for suggestions!