It's never easy when someone you love dies, and that's why it's so important for people to show support for the grieving parties by sending them a sympathy card. Even if you choose a store-bought card, you should always add a few personalized lines to it before signing your name. Saying something like “I'm so sorry for your loss” or “I'm keeping your family in my prayers during this difficult time” would suffice.

How to Write a Condolence Card

Sometimes a mass-market card simply can't convey how sad you are about someone's passing. In times like this, it's best to send a handwritten note to the grieving parties.

Here's a way to write a sympathy note that's sure to mean a lot to the recipient:

Dear Jane:

I was saddened to learn of your father's death. I hope that the love and support of family and friends will help get you through this difficult time. I just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts.

Fondly,

Lisa Miller

If you know the family very well and feel like you want to share some personal memories of the deceased in your sympathy note, you can do so.

Here's how a more detailed sympathy note might read:

Dear Jane:

I was saddened to learn of your father's death. Football Sundays are never going to be the same without your dad rooting for the Packers, and I'll drink a beer in his memory the next time the Packers play. I hope that the love and support of family and friends will help get you through this difficult time. I just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts.

Fondly,

Lisa Miller

Acknowledging Sympathy Cards

No matter how distraught you may be over the loss of your loved one, it's good manners to acknowledge those who sent their sympathy wishes to you. Many funeral homes provide preprinted thank-you notes that grieving parties can send, and they are an acceptable choice only if you add a personalized line before signing your name. Saying something simple should suffice, such as “Thank you for remembering Jack in your kind note.”

If you choose to handwrite every acknowledgement card, you can use the basic formula of a thank-you note but with the body of it tweaked to reflect the solemn occasion:

Dear Lisa:

Thank you for sending the sympathy card after my dad's death. It made me feel a little bit better during this sad time to know that friends were thinking of me. Thanks again for your thought fulness.

Fondly,

Jane Smith