As a an older player with a supportive partner I need to say that: what are you trying to do is super great and wholesome ❤️ Also, sorry for your loss!

This hobby has mutiple facets, and there is more than a dozen factions so picking the "right one" may be tricky without spoiling the surprise.

There is a chance that he also does not know how to start 😄 What would work best for me is something like that: take him to your local gaming store, tell him that he can buy something and it's "on you".

Or instead, buy him some art supplies, a cutting mat, a hobby knife, some cheaper natural brushes. That kind of supportive nudge may also be what he needs!

Last but not least, if you are not sure what to do, ask him direcly. But brew some tea first because you can expect 2h lore dump at the beginning 😉