What about a quilt? Something beautiful and special but fairly lightweight and easy-care? It could be taken to the hospital for a bit of home but easily washed. You could add their anniversary and a message to a corner to personalize it.

ETA - so sorry about this difficult time for your niece and family.

I know most people don't do picture albums anymore but...how about maybe a couple of albums with their name and picture of both on the front? It could also be therapeutic for her and she could copy out photos to add and possibly give some albums to close family members. They could even do a photo share and exchange.

I should add that we live at a distance and I haven't seen her for about 10 years. We're in touch via FB, but that's about it. Watched a video of the wedding a little while ago ... not easy through the tears. What struck me as they said their vows is how they've already lived them the past five years.

What a touching post. I wish I could think of something but I agree that anything commemorating the relationship would be cherished.

very sad.

is it possible to give them an experience for your niece to cherish?? a helicopter ride, a hot air balloon ride, a sky diving experience, a show, or whatever depending on your budget and their interests...?? kindof a bucket list type of thing that they can experience together and that she can remember fondly after he's gone...?

So sad. I would choose a flowering tree.

I don't think there's much time left. His FIL is scrambling to get a photo album put together for both of the kids to see before he leaves this earth.

Party, I think a tree would be a wonderful gift, but we live too far away and it's still very much winter where they live.

I appreciate all your suggestions.

Perhaps a donation to a charitable cause in his/her names?

What a sad situation. Would you consider hiring some (or one) musicians to visit the couple in the hospital? Some soft music can be very comforting. Sometimes and "experience" is an appropriate gift.

You can send a flowering or fruit tree or arrange one with a local nursery. It may not be delivered immediately if it is too cold where you are, but you could send a card and a photo of the type of tree.

A rose bush with a special name or color meaning -- there is a wedding day rose -- a simple antique rose that is a peachy/cream and opens white with a golden center. There might be other names that would be special to them. If they are movie buffs, I loved the popcorn miniature rose we had once. If you like those ideas and want help finding a place to buy and ship one, let us know.

Some of the standards -- crystal vase or bowl, a special candle holder -- thinking a hurricane rather than a pair -- might work. A lighthouse or something related to a lighthouse that would be symbolic. Likewise, something with a butetrfly. A donation.

So sorry for their loss, but tink it is great that you and the family are supporting their celebration of the love they did share. My cousin had a similar experience with her first husband. .

The symbolism of a lighthouse ... I like that. It's so fitting of the life they've shared ... and they live in New England.

Maybe a book for her to read to him? Poetry? A bible if they are Christian? I don't know their financial circumstances but maybe gift cards that could be used for food delivery for her or gas cards or the like would be useful.

I am not, but just on the chance that they might be (prompted by crl's post) christian, I've recommended on this site before, this book - it is wonderful: Illustrated Book of Psalms

From Amazon: Of the scores of gift editions of the Book of Psalms, one of the strangest and most beautiful is The Psalms of David,
with illuminations by James S. Freemantle. An Englishman born in India
in 1859, Freemantle traveled widely in the Middle East during his years
in the British Army before marrying a woman named Clara in 1906. Around
the time they were married, Freemantle began work on this painstakingly
rendered book as a gift for her. Nearly every page is filled with
illustrations of magnificent Indian and Middle Eastern flora and fauna
(including poinsettias, mimosas, canna lilies, kingfishers, storks, and
pheasants) and of Brahmin temples and Christian and Jewish holy
sites--even a gigantic iceberg. Almost 30 years after he began,
Freemantle finished the book. In the foreword to this new edition (first
published in 1982), Freemantle's son Stephen writes that his father was
"not a religious man." Regardless of the precise nature of Freemantle's
beliefs, his exuberant illuminations testify to his great love of his
wife, of the world, and of the Psalms

My most memorable wedding gift was a commissioned paper cutting of our day. It was done by an artist in Connecticut, Martha Link Walsh. The fragility of the paper and the beauty of the lace like cuts symbolizes life and love for me. Every time I look at the art with our anniversary date incorporated into it I remember the day as if it were yesterday.

Here is the artist's website incase you may think it an appropriate gift for your niece. I think she could cut a light house with their wedding date present and Matt and frame it for a reasonable price.

May your niece and her husband relish in this time they have now and I hope for peace and comfort to them both in the near future.

http://www.marthalinkwalsh.com/papercutting.html

If you can get a picture of the day, maybe a beautiful heart locket for the bride to keep this time near her heart forever?

I like the papercutting link, too, although I think the lighthouse may also be a beautiful gift.

We have something similar to the papercutting with a Chinese calligraphy where there are birds and symbols made from the letters of our names. It is really beautiful and we have it displayed in our LR.

Edited to add link and updated that the artist is a native of China, not Japan.

http://www.freewebs.com/danielnie/thenamecoolligraphy.htm

https://www.facebook.com/DanielNieNameArt/

I love the locket idea. If his organs are shutting down as you say, it is unlikely that a gift will arrive in time for both of them to share or enjoy. I am so sorry about that. Of course, the idea of a gift of music is also a sweet thought. Hearing is the sense we retain the longest in these situations, I believe.

I really like the locket and picture idea.

I lurk in the shadows these days, but this is another time I wanted to share a different perspective.

This is a deeply emotional and difficult time for them. Their marriage is the truest expression of traditional wedding vows.

It is for this reason I wonder if a traditional gift ignores the true meaning of the event. Perhaps a letter expressing your feelings and a book of poetry or readings that means something to you is the most meaningful gift she could receive.

Pablo Neruda is a favorite of mine. We had this http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/179257 read at our wedding.

Another mostly reader with a left field suggestion. What about a subscription to Sirius XM radio, it's not cheap, but could be set up in hospital, hospice or at home. They have literally dozens, maybe hundreds, of channels, with all manner of music, comedy, news, sports, religious/inspirational, talk radio and international stations. Music is so significant in our lives, poetry to a beat as they say, and it might provide background, foster nostalgic discussions, etc.

I don't know what I'll end up doing, but I do appreciate all your thoughts and comments.

I love the locket idea, but I think I would save the idea for later -- a birthday, Christmas or just because in support after he is gone. I wore a locket with my boys photos when I had to travel on business. The only negative in my mind is that it is personal to her and whether that is okay or not depends on when it is given and her sensitivity -- both of which may be uncertain now. I think it's better as a gift to just her when it is just her. Even though she may be the only one to see or enjoy any gift b the time it gets there, it is a wedding gift.

Etsy has a number of lighthouse paintings. DH and I received a framed watercolor from a friend of my mom's. I thought it was a very bold and unusual gift -- one I doubt I would have thought of, but it isn't large and there has always been a place for it and it is very special to us. Some lighthouse charms and lockets came up -- you could give them a painting and her a lighthouse to keep with her too.

Your heart is in it -- you will figure it out.

I have a friend of a friend who went through this exact thing last year. They were married about two weeks before he passed, two months after his diagnosis. I will ask my friend if she knows whether they received any gifts, and if the bride mentioned anything that was really meaningful.

Cindymac, I'm so sorry for the sadness that surrounds this truly special couple. Other than having a picture from their FB page enlarged and framed, I'm stumped on ideas (or having a sketch from a photo done by an artist, there are many on Etsy to choose from) . I just wanted to send a hug out to you.

Roarah, thanks for the link to that papercutting website! I just ordered a Christmas book and am inquiring about a commission for my daughter's recent elopement. I would love to give them a papercutting that commemorates their wedding day with a wave or water theme and give it to them at their first anniversary. What beautiful work!