When choosing a gift for the bereaved, take their daily, practical needs into consideration.  For instance, when my best friend lost her father, her mother was left with the task of figuring out what to do with all of the beautiful flowers she received, and she had to give most of them away. (On an upside, she gave me a gorgeous potted peace lily she received that went on to grow like crazy and live a long, long life. I like to think my friend's dad had a little something to do with that.) If the loss has left the household struggling to keep up with the chores, think about helping out by sending practical gifts. Send them a delivered meal or two, or if you know them well enough, even a cleaning service to help relieve some of the pressure.  Meaningful gifts like a photo album full of great memories or a shadowbox with a few keepsakes are always a good idea too, as are donations to a beloved cause in the name of the deceased. Head over to our article on condolence and bereavement gifts for more ideas.