The best gesture I ever heard off during a time of loss was one I read about in a Reader's Digest many moons ago.

While preparing for the funeral of her husband a wife answered the door to find an elderly neighbor she barely knew standing on her stoop with a shoe shine box. The man simply said "I'm here to shine the shoes." Of course, in the turmoil the woman had much more important things to think about than shining her children's shoes.

This mans gift of thoughtfulness, to do something that needed to be done, was the true mark of caring.

Since that time I have remembered to actually DO something, that needs doing, for those in grief. Some menial task that is very low on the list of things that need doing. Mow a neglected lawn, take a car to a scheduled service, take the dog to a grooming, or simply shine the shoes.

Now that the service is over your friend is having to learn to do those things his wife used to do. Drive the two hours again, stop off at the grocery on the way and knock at the door and offer to make dinner. Then cook it, serve it, and wash the dishes after. Then leave.
Or show up with your vacuum cleaner, windex and dustrags. Tell your friend to sit down and take five as you clean the living room. Keep it simple, keep it impersonal, and keep it short.

Advice is worth what you pay for it so take this or leave it.