My sister-in-law's grandma passed on and I want to send something to her mother. Flowers and plants are not a good idea, everyone has cats that eat them. I was thinking gift basket, but can not have anything with alcohol in it and I don't know if a basket with cookies and chocolate is too frivilous for a funeral???

what about a fruit basket and a vegetable platter with various dips for the reception after. You could also provide a dried wreath arrangement that gets placed on a wall.

I'm not sure whether cookies and chocolate are appropriate, but I agree with Sherasi that a fruit basket is a great idea.

That's a good idea sher, I like the wreath idea alot. They are not having a reception, not enough people, she has three kids and the only one who cares is my sister-in-law's mom (terrible) and she was pretty old so her friends are in no shape to go to a funeral. I love the wreath idea...I am going to go look on-line right now!!
Thanks!

I have an idea too. How about you make a "grief" basket and you can put a variety of items such as a small package of kleenex, little note cards with a package of .37 postage stamps, a nice pen, some assorted candies, maybe a votive with a nice smelling candle, some hand lotion, a book you think she might enjoy reading to take her mind off her sorrow, a pair of those little house slippers (like Isotoners?)

Just place things in it that she can pamper herself with to help lift her spirits. I did this for my grandma once, and she really love it -- especially the note cards and postage stamps.

Oceangurl, that's a great idea too, and since the wreath was a lot cheaper than a gift basket I will be able to afford both. The stamps is a great idea, she can mail out thank you's now and have one less thing to worry about. I went to Pier 1 on-line and ordered a great wreath!! Thanks so much guys!

Glad to help Kitty, and by the way, the fact that you are considerate enough to think of your sister-in-law's mom in her moment of grief says a lot about the kind of person that you are. They're lucky to have you as a friend.