Grief Gifting in the Form of Food and Care

Grief Gifting in the Form of Food and Care
In the blur that is planning a funeral to farewell someone you loved (or even maybe had a complicated relationship with), after the funeral, around an anniversary of a loss or your favourite person’s first birthday without them…. we still need to eat (even if we don’t feel like it).

Co-Ordinate by Grief & co is here to be helpful in planning food support - a ‘meal train’ - to support those you care about. Let’s be honest; pasta goes a long way towards filling our belly and sometimes our heart. While it won’t ‘fix’ how we are feeling, it is a comfort and a necessity in a time where everything is turned upside down. And having others handle some of this can really lighten the mental load.

We created Grief & co for what happens when all the dishes have been returned, so for now fill up their bellies and fridges, then come back to us when you think they might need something more for the constant of grief. We supply grief gifts because what do you even buy someone when they lose a loved one?

This schedule has been created for you to use in your own way. Fill the PDF digitally and forward on, or print, fill and forward in your group text. Alternatively - use it as a guide to set up your own shared online file (or google doc) - where everyone can contribute and see any updates.

Enter your email below and we will email you a free copy of our meal train schedule template:




Meal Train Tips

  • Clearly label food and include any instructions necessary (or a personal note too if you like!)
  • Remember who you’re cooking for - consider any dietary, allergy and picky-toddler constraints the household may have when choosing what to supply.
  • You can contribute without cooking! Even if you can’t prepare a meal yourself, finding a grocer/butcher/deli that supplies fresh ready to eat or cook meals - or knowing their favourite takeaway - works wonders too.
  • Consider your containers... Disposable is easiest, but returnable is fine... as long as you don’t need it returned anytime soon! (After all, having a pile of things to return is just another thing no-one wants on their to-do list).
  • Pick a schedule that works best for the circumstance. Once a day for a fortnight? Or once a week over a longer period? Different lifestyles and situation will benefit from different plans.
  • Some people love to know what’s coming for dinner! Or even to make some requests. Feel free to include your recipient in communications, if that works best for everyone.
  • Check if there is a place that the food can be left so they don’t need to rush to get it in the fridge (or send it in a cold pack)
  • If you have a time slot, try and be on time, you never know how hungry/hangry the person on the other side of the door is!
  • We don’t want to sound rude but do remember - a meal is not your ticket to space invade. If Covid taught us something, it’s that contactless drop offs are a game changer. When dropping a meal don’t be offended if the recipient would prefer you to leave the food in an esky on the front veranda - some days they just might not have the energy for social catch ups. On the other hand, some days a hug and someone to talk to might be exactly what’s in order - and having someone drop by might be a far less intimidating way of having company without having to ask for it. So what we mean is - the purpose of this is to fill bellies and help with the chore load, anything else is up to the recipient. Let them set the tone and be there for them in whatever way feels most comfortable to them.
  • Having someone to manage the meal-train - or at least having a communal message place - makes it easier to make sure everything is covered, and all updates and communication are received as needed.
  • Set a reminder - or have a reminder chairperson. Meal train commitments (especially long term) can be easy to loose track of when everyone is busy.
  • Go a bit extra... (Even if this is last minute and not part of the plan!) Not at all necessary, but nice to receive are the little extras - snacks, fruit, chocolate, drinks, dessert. Meals are helpful - surprise coffee or cake are bonus joys. The essentials are needed too. Have a think about what they are likely to need or run out of, to avoid the shop run. Toilet paper? Nappies? Formula? Shampoo? Bread? Milk?

These sites also offer a digital way to manage meal trains:

Recipe Ideas

Dinner ideas 
Snack ideas

For breakfast or to eat as they organise life around this hard time.


Thank you, from someone you love!
The Unexpected Dinner Guest - When grief drops in

The Unexpected Dinner Guest - When grief drops in

By Chantelle O'neill

  You know that moment when grief taps you on the shoulder and asks to join you for dinner? You feel a bit shocked; you haven’t prepared enough food to cater for such an unexpected...