It's traditional to send flower arrangements for a funeral service, and they can be a thoughtful and well-received gift. However, in many places, this custom is falling out of favor. Families may have difficulty dealing with the large number of flowers they receive, or at worst, there may be someone in the family with allergies. If you'd like to give an alternate gift before or after a funeral service, here are a few thoughtful ideas.

5 Alternative Gifts for a Funeral Service

1. Photos or Keepsakes

If you have something that belonged to the deceased or held meaning for them, like stuffed animals, artwork, books, tools, and other everyday objects, give these items to the grieving family. Even a single photo they don't already have can hold a world of meaning, especially if it comes with a story.

1. Personalized Note

Even if you don't have anything that belonged to the deceased, you can share your memories and your feelings, offering whatever comfort you can to those in mourning. In this way, a heartfelt note or card can be more personal than anything you could buy.

3. Memorial Item

To honor the memory of the deceased, you may want to give a lasting tribute like a plaque or a stone memorial. For a touch of natural beauty more permanent than a bouquet, dedicate a tree or a shrub to the deceased.

4. Charitable Donation

If you know of a cause or organization that was important to the deceased, a donation in their name honors their memory and will be appreciated by like-minded family members. It need not be a large donation; the cost of flowers is enough.

5. What the Family Has Requested

In many cases, the family members arranging the funeral include instructions for gifts that can be given "in lieu of flowers." Donations are a common request, but they may also ask for items tailored to the needs of the family at this time or relevant to the character and interests of the deceased.

For help with etiquette, grief counseling, or arranging a personalized and dignified funeral service in Honolulu, HI, contact Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary. Serving the island of Oahu for 70 years, they offer a peaceful and serene final resting place directly before the Royal Mausoleum at Mauna Ala. To learn more about cremation and burial options, call the mortuary at (808) 537-5255 or reach out online.