Sympathy Throws on an Easel

There are many ways to receive comfort after a loved one dies: You can write in a journal, read bereavement poems and even display a sympathy throws on an easel.

Sympathy throws are tapestries or blankets given as condolence gifts. They serve as a lasting alternative to flowers, plants or other traditional types of presents given in memory of the persons who have died. Many of the sympathy throws are embroidered with a message or image, while some are created to include a personal message. Common designs on sympathy throws are:

• Weeping angels
• Guardian angels
• Sunsets
• Lighthouses
• Jesus
• Flowers
• Gardens
• Churches
• Military emblems: Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines
• "Peaceful Retreat" by Thomas Kinkaid
• U.S. flag
• Butterflies
• Children or angels who are children

The throws also can come with religious and non-religious sayings and poems, including:

• The Lord's Prayer
• Psalm 23
• Footprints
• Serenity Prayer
• Stairway of Tears
• Until We Meet Again
• I am the Light
• Only One Mother

Many companies also allow for a personal message to be embroidered on to the afghan. More common messages include:

• Deceased person's name
• Dates of birth and death
• Hometown or place of death
• If military, branch of service and time served
• Short personal message of condolence

There are many ways to display your sympathy tapestry, and manufacturers are offering an easel to do the job. Since many of the throws, which are pre-manufactured, are customarily about 40 inches wide by 50 inches long (or larger), a large easel may be your best bet. Many of the throws and easels will come delivered by a florist, and usually come with an arrangement of fresh or silk flowers. The entire display can be sent to a funeral home, cemetery or even someone's home or office.

After your sympathy throw on an easel is used during a funeral or memorial service, you can take it home and display it there. Your best bet would be to not put it near a window, as the sun may fade the tapestry. Use care when cleaning your throw as well; follow its washing instructions carefully. Dry cleaning will probably be your preferred method of laundering.

If your sympathy throw does not come with an easel, there are many places where you can fine one. Check our your local arts and crafts or office furniture store. Online, you can find easels at:

• Xylem Design sells both display and decorative easels. They come in hand-finished wood or antique brass.
• Blick Art Materials has several display and presentation easels.
• Mister Art offers both wood and iron display easels.

Many florists sell sympathy throws, but adding an embroidered message may take up to a few additional weeks. You can order these tapestries online at:

• Keepsake Etc.
• Cindy's Throws
• Monograms of Distinction
• Digital Threads
• Comfort and Grace
• The Remembrance Center

Before you order your sympathy throw on an easel, make sure this type of gift is appropriate to the person on the receiving end. While the gesture may be thoughtful, some grief survivors may not want a large remembrance gift because it may be too much of a reminder of the person they lost.

• Dying Celebrities
• Books on Grief for a Stillborn Child
• Children's Books About Death

• Free Funeral Program Template
• Sample Funeral Program
• Poems Related to Grief
• Bereavement Poems by Unknown Authors
• Poem about Death of a Dog

• Memorial Name a Star
• Bible Verse Sympathy
• What to Say to a Dying Person
• Sympathy Verses for Death
• Sample Letter of Sympathy, Condolence