Mourning gifts sent to Israel can provide comfort and care when there are often no comforting words. Whether you are a friend, colleague or a family member, based overseas and you want to support someone, knowing how and when to send a thoughtful gift can be helpful when someone is facing the painful experience of loss.
In Israel, mourning follows Jewish traditions that center around family, community, and time spent together. When you can’t be there in person, a small gesture can make a quiet but lasting impact. The right gift lets the grieving person know they’re not alone, even from across the world.
This article will guide you through the most respectful types of mourning gifts to send to Israel, when to send them, and how to handle the details if you’re living outside the country.
What Are Mourning Gifts?
Mourning gifts are small, considerate presents given to a person who is mourning the death of a loved one. These gifts are intended to convey support, provide comfort, and alleviate the weight of daily life during a painful time. Unlike flowers and fancy gift boxes, mourning gifts are often simple and practical. In Israel, many families adhere to traditional mourning practices.
For this reason, food baskets and comforting gifts are the most typical for a mourning gift. These are especially appreciated during the first week after a funeral, known as shiva.
Why Send Mourning Gifts to Israel?
If someone close to you is mourning in Israel and you are unable to visit, a gift helps you stay connected. It shows that you are thinking of them and that you respect their grief.
In many Israeli families, especially those observing Jewish customs, mourners do not work, cook, or leave the house during the shiva period. Visitors often stop by to offer their condolences. Having food or light refreshments on hand is both helpful and expected. That’s why gifts that focus on nourishment and comfort are the most meaningful.
Delivering a token of thoughtfulness also shows the family that their loved one’s life had meaning beyond their home or city. It has a quiet, respectful way of bridging emotional and physical distances and telling the family, you are thinking about them.
What to Send: Common and Appropriate Mourning Gifts
It does not have to be hard to choose a mourning gift! Think of useful, comforting, and traditional tokens of mourning. Here are some of the most common and well-received options in Israel:
1. Kosher Food Baskets
This is the most traditional and widely accepted gift. Food baskets for mourning homes typically include:
- Fresh fruit
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Baked goods
- Crackers and tea
- Herbal teas
Kosher certification is essential. Even if the family is not religious, some of their guests may be. A kosher basket ensures that everything is appropriate for everyone in the home.
2. Light Comfort Items
Some people choose to send gifts that offer quiet comfort rather than food. These may include:
- Scent-free candles
- A soft blanket or throw
- A calming tea set
- A journal or notebook
These gifts are best for people you know well and can be appropriate in the weeks after shiva ends.
3. Donation in Memory
If the family has asked for donations instead of gifts, this should always be honored. You can still include a note letting them know you donated in the name of their loved one.
What Not to Send
Grief is deeply personal, but Jewish mourning practices in Israel come with clear boundaries. Here’s what to avoid:
- No flowers: These are not part of traditional Jewish mourning and are rarely sent in Israel.
- No alcohol: Wine or liquor is seen as inappropriate during shiva.
- No luxury or celebratory items: Shiva is a time for modesty and quiet support, not indulgence.
- No bright colors or flashy packaging: Stick with clean, simple, neutral tones.
- No non-kosher food: Even if you’re sure the family is not observant, this can cause discomfort for visitors.
When in doubt, choose something practical and understated. The focus should be on helping, not impressing.
When to Send Mourning Gifts to Israel
Your gift’s meaning may be enhanced by its timing. Mourning in Israel moves quickly. Funerals are often held within 24 hours, and shiva begins immediately afterward.
Best times to send:
- During Shiva, Days 1 through 5 are ideal. Families are receiving many visitors, and food is a great way to show hospitality.
- Just after Shiva ends, A small gift or card sent during the second week can still offer comfort.
- On the shloshim: This is the 30-day mark after death. Some choose to send a note or a light gift, too.
- On the yahrzeit: The annual memorial of a loved one’s passing is another meaningful time for a remembrance gift.
If you miss the shiva period, don’t worry. Your gift can still have an impact if it arrives later with a simple message like, “Thinking of you, even though this arrives a little late.”
Sending Mourning Gifts from Abroad
If you are not in Israel, the logistics might feel daunting! With good guidance, it is very doable to carefully send a gift directly to a bereaved family in Israel.
Step 1: Choose a Gift Company in Israel
Work with a local provider that understands Jewish mourning traditions and delivers nationwide. Bypass international shipping, which frequently entails lengthy delays in delivery or additional customs charges.
Step 2: Verify the Delivery Address Information
For the recipient’s name, address, and telephone number. If you are unsure of the exact shiva address, try reaching out to a family person or a close family friend who can help relay this information.
Step 3: Select a Basket or Gift Suited for Mourning
Most Israeli gift suppliers have a section with sympathy / shiva baskets. Ideally, select a basket that provides simple kosher certified items in modest packaging.
Step 4: Include a Personal Note
Even a brief message can provide much needed comfort. Here are a few examples:
- “Wishing you strength and peace during this time.”
- “Thinking of you from a distance, may [name]’s memory be a blessing.”
If you’re not sure what to write, keep it sincere and brief. Your care will come through.
Why Your Gift Matters
During mourning, people often feel overwhelmed, disconnected, and alone. A small gift sent with kindness can break through that isolation and help the family feel supported.
Your gift won’t fix anything. It isn’t meant to. But it lets someone know they are not forgotten, that their pain is seen, and that someone across the world is holding them in their heart.
In Jewish tradition, even a small act of kindness holds significant weight. Your mourning gift becomes a part of that tradition, a shared responsibility to care for one another during life’s most challenging moments.
How to Keep Your Gesture Meaningful
There’s no need to send something expensive. You don’t need the perfect words. You only need to show up, authentically. Choose something simple, keep your note authentic and know that even a small gesture can help bring peace. Sometimes just quietly supporting someone means much more than anything else. If you have lost someone in your own life, then you know how impactful these kinds of things can be. If you haven’t, offering this kindness will speak volumes to the grieving person.
Where to Order Mourning Gifts to Israel
If you’re looking to send a kosher, respectful mourning gift to a family or friend in Israel, Walwater Gifts Israel can help.
We provide a carefully chosen assortment of shiva and sympathy baskets that are specifically made for bereaved families. Every item is kosher, carefully wrapped, and shipped throughout Israel.
Whether you’re sending comfort during shiva, following up after the funeral, or honoring a yahrzeit, we make it easy to reach out from anywhere in the world.
Visit Walwater Gifts Israel to explore our full range of mourning gifts and send a message of comfort today.
We also provide gifting solutions for memorial services, shloshim, and other moments of remembrance throughout the year.
Walwater Gifts
The history of Walwater Gifts Israel Uniquely Designed Gifts dates back to 2004. At that time, our company emerged by offering adorable Baby Gifts and sweet Chocolate Bouquets specifically.
Our baby gifts corner expanded with the continuous patronage and support of our loyal clients and loved ones. We have already designed gifts like diaper cakes and baby clothes bouquets, which seem to be more popular nowadays, especially with expectant mothers, as they remark that they are “must-haves.”
As time passes, our friends and family notice our efforts and the fantastic ideas behind our gifts, encouraging us to expand and let people across Israel know about our business. With our unique gift ideas, it's no wonder that every recipient is amazed and brightened by their day.
About Us
Our primary focus is to create wonderful yet lovely gift baskets for Israel, ideal for any occasion or holiday. These gift hampers are set to be filled with the most fantastic yet exceptional trademark products in Israel, like cookies, wines, chocolates, and alcohol bottles. Our designers can also feature goods such as fresh fruits, cakes, tea, champagne, and many more.
Recent Posts
Follow Us
Sign up for our Newsletter
10 Excellent Reasons For Send Gifts In Israel
- We are an Israel provider with delivery across Israel
We ship our gifts to Israeli cities, such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Ashdod, Bat Yam, Beersheba, Hadera, Herzliya, Hod HaSharon, Holon, Karmi’el, Kfar Saba, Modi’in, Nazareth, Ness Ziona, Netanya, Petah Tiqwa, Ra’anana, Ramat HaSharon, Rehovot, Rishon Leziyyon, Rosh Ha’Ayin, Tiberias, Yavne, and other locations in Israel.
- Walwater Gifts Israel is an original gifts manufacturer, without a middleman fee
SendGiftsInIsrael is an original gift producer; every gift is handmade in our warehouse.
- We have more than 10 years of experience
For more than 10 years, we have done our best to keep all our customers happy and satisfied.
- Fast delivery
Deliveries throughout Israel from our warehouse result in faster delivery times.
- Low shipping charges
Due to our central location in Israel, we provide low shipping charges for Israel, and we guarantee no hidden delivery costs.
- All our Gift Baskets contain well-known trademark products
Selecting only the finest brands, no supermarket food brands, because we believe gift baskets should be something special.
- We test all wines and foods before we put them in our gifts
All our wines are tested and approved by the management and the staff (no, we’re not constantly drunk, but a glass or two of wine is perfect for inspiration).
- Branded gifts
Walwater Gifts Israel may offer branded gifts. We can customize the entire gift with your company logo, name, ribbons, and more.
- Additional gifts available – add-ons
We understand that we cannot always fit all needs, which is why we offer additional gifts for each gift basket in our range. Add as many bottles of wine, Teddy bears, or other gifts with no extra shipping charges – personalize it! And we have free cards!
- Gift baskets for every occasion
SendGiftsInIsrael offers gifts & gift baskets for every holiday and occasion in Israel.
Sign Up for exclusive offers
We proudly accept
© Walwater Gifts Israel - All rights reserved