Losing someone is one of life’s greatest challenges. When friends and loved ones reach out with a kind word, it can provide a light moment on a dark day.
It’s also not often easy being on the other side of someone’s grief. When you want to reach out to support someone and have to figure out what to write in a sympathy card, you may find yourself at a loss for words.
Sympathy card messages are never easy. And you won’t necessarily find the perfect words in an article on a website. But this article may jump-start your thinking and help you find the phrase that will brighten someone’s day.
Writing sympathy cards doesn’t have to be hard, especially if it starts with the right design that reflects the essence of the person who has passed.
Choosing the Perfect Sympathy Cards
Before you choose the sympathy card, think about the personality of the deceased or their surviving loved ones. What type of card would evoke fond memories for the recipient or seem simply perfect in that moment?
Choose from a wide array of sympathy cards that represent the person you are memorializing. From a tranquil beach scene to a solid black card with inspirational verse, the perfect sympathy cards exist for everyone. And the right image sets the stage to send the perfect message.
If you didn’t know the person well, you can choose simple images of flowers or nature that express peace and beauty. No one will ever mind receiving a beautiful card.
It’s Okay to Keep It Short
The recipient is likely receiving a lot of sympathy cards so keep your message concise.
If you didn’t know the deceased very well, and just want to let a co-worker, colleague, or acquaintance know you are thinking of them through a difficult time, it’s okay to keep your message short.
Writing “I’m sorry for your loss” or “My thoughts are with you and your family through this difficult time” lets the recipient know you care. Often, that is enough. A sympathy note that’s short and sweet can leave the same impact.
How to Expand Upon Your Sentiments in Sympathy Cards
If you knew the deceased but do not know the person who will receive your card, describe your relationship briefly. A sentence like “I will miss Mary at on our Thursday night Bingo games” can give context to your friendship.
For a note to the family of a co-worker, you may write something like “I worked with your mom and will deeply miss her guidance, mentorship, and our Tuesday lunches.”
If you’ve experienced a similar loss, you might let the recipient know. You can offer to be there if they want to talk. One caveat: Do not say, “Call me if I can help,” if you don’t mean it, don’t know the person well, or don’t have the time to take on an additional burden.
If you do mean it, and really want to help a friend, avoid using a vague platitude, anyway. Instead, provide specifics. Write, “Dinner’s on me Tuesday night,” and include a gift card to a favorite take-out restaurant or delivery service.
For a friend with young children, you may write, “Call me if you need a sitter this week.”
Often, people in the throes of grief don’t specifically know what they need. If you take action or make a specific suggestion, they happily accept the help. You can offer this help in a phone call, but it’s just as appropriate to do it in a sympathy card if it will arrive in a timely manner.
Sympathy Card Messages for Those Close To You
Sometimes, you want to say a little more. You want to let the recipient of the sympathy card know how much their loved one meant to you. It can be more difficult to find the words when your grief is nearly as heavy as the person you are offering condolences to.
Don’t be afraid to write too much. Your sentiments will be appreciated. Share fond memories. Tell a story. Depending on the personality of the recipient, branch out with funny moments or aspects of the deceased’s personality. Reminding surviving loved ones of the joy that person brought the world can be a great comfort.
Closings for Sympathy Cards
Short or long, you can sign sympathy cards in a number of ways:
- My condolences,
- Love,
- With sympathy,
- Thinking of you,
- With caring thoughts,
- With loving memories,
Tailor your greeting to how close you feel to the recipient, and you’ll have an appropriate, heartfelt sympathy card message to send.
Typically, only time and respect for the grieving process will help relieve the pain of loss. Letting someone know you care, you’re there, and that you’re thinking of them is a meaningful and gentle way to send your thoughts, prayers, and love.
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