Religious Guidelines
Christian
Sending food, flowers and plants are traditional, and perfectly acceptable. Other gifts that honor the deceased are also acceptable and reflect the respect you have for your friendship with the recipient.
Jewish
Charitable donations and fitting memorial gifts, but floral gifts are inappropriate at the funeral or during shivah. Fruit and food are traditional and other gifts are fine so long as they don't symbolize other religions. A food basket can include cakes, nuts of all kinds, dried or fresh fruit and anything else kosher. Do not bring non-kosher food to a kosher home.
Hindu
Traditionally, visitors send gifts of fruit and food to the grieving family. May follow dietary restrictions of beef.
Muslim
Friends may send food to the grieving family, but gifts of flowers are inappropriate. May follow dietary restrictions of pork.
Buddhist
In the Buddhist tradition, flowers or donations may be sent to the family, but gifts of food are considered inappropriate.
