What if anything is Texas protocol when someone dies?

[babylonsister]

My neighbor died this morning after a long illness.:-( I know when my mom died in North Carolina, all the neighbors brought food, casseroles, desserts, etc., over. Do Texans do this, too?
Thanks for any input.

[PDittie]

1. Yes

This is always welcome and a nice gesture, even if they weren't (aren't) people you knew (know) well.

[MagickMuffin]

2. I know that some people practice this kindness.

I'm sure it will be appreciated to offer support by bringing a dish to help with the families grief.

After all that is usually the last thing a grieving family wants to deal with in their time of loss.

[merci_me]

3. It's a good thing to do

When dad died, the food was really nice, but I recall the one that was most practical was a selection of deli meats and cheeses, a few loaves of bread (rye/wheat/sourdough), pickles, tomatoes, lettuce. That has now become my contribution to families. But not on a deli tray. That's too hard to put away. I use those Glad square containers and put the meats and cheeses in those.

There's only so much room in the fridge and freezer for casseroles (we had to borrow space from neighbors---space is another nice offer) and to be able to go to the kitchen later, when you finally have the stomach to eat, it's nice to have the fixins' there waiting.

If there are children who are going to be there, milk and juice is good, along with cookies, or treats to entertain the kids.

If they're CLOSE neighbors, taking home some of the laundry (towels/sheets)and doing them up is a big help, especially if they suddenly have out-of-town guests. Also, you could take a look in the bathrooms and be sure they aren't running out of paper products.

[ashling]

4. Yes

[Horse with no Name]

5. Yes

Drinks and bags of ice are very appreciated. 2-liter bottles are fairly inexpensive and most folks don't think to bring them.

[tavalon]

6. Absolutely

We're Southern, through and through.

[sonias]

7. Yes we do

Also if it's a close neighbor, please make sure that you visit the remaining family often for a while. Just let them know you care and that you are there for them for running errands if they need. Grieving families need time to deal with life and they forget to even go grocery shopping for the first week or so. Maybe if you're going grocery shopping you can offer to pick up things they might need.

I'm sorry to hear about your neighbor.

Take care babylonsister!

Sonia

[WolverineDG]

8. Food is good

You also may want to volunteer to stay at the house during the services. Thieves have been known to read the obits & then break into someone's house when they know everyone is at the funeral.

dg

[babylonsister]

9. Thanks, everyone. I did go buy lots of

cold cuts, cheese, bread, and pickles today, all enclosed in an airtight tupperware.
I also offered use of our second frig for any spillover my neighbor might have.
This was odd; when I asked if there was anything I could do, my neighbor told me
her bathroom and toilets need cleaning. :wow: That might be, but we really aren't
that close, so I didn't comment (difficult for me:) . )
Wolverine, I never thought about potential burglars, so will offer to keep an eye
out. Good idea!
My husband is loathe to go to any wake, funeral, or interrment, as am I. I suppose
as a good neighbor, it's required?
There is a flu going around...

[CoolOnion]

10. Yes

Individual serving size frozen food is good, too, for all the visiting relatives (hot pockets--things like that).