Unlike other thank you notes, you are not required to send bereavement cards, sympathy cards, condolence cards, funeral thank you cards or bereavement thank you cards within a day or two of the funeral or receipt of the bereavement gift. Everyone recognizes that while some immediately look for activities to get beyond the loss, others do whatever they can to avoid acknowledging the loss (death) at all costs for a few weeks or months. Most people are gracious enough to understand that each person's grief is different and will allow you time to do whatever you need to do to heal. Additionally, if you have been through the funeral process, everyone understands that you have had your hands full, and it might be some time before you are able to respond.

There is very little “guidance” for helping write sympathy thank you cards. Since the loss of a lived one is such a personal event, it's ultimately up to you to decide how, what and when you are ready to take on regarding the "business side" of your loss. Any suggestion to get your bereavement thank you cards out within a month or two of the death of a loved one is just a well-meaning attempt to help you avoid the daunting task facing you later. Writing personalized bereavement cards are so difficult because you're not only expressing gratitude, but you are acknowledging another person's grief at a time when you're often still dealing with your own. Consoling another can be awkward and sometimes painful, but it can also be therapeutic.

A word of caution about purchasing bereavement cards from the funeral home! If you purchase bereavement cards from the funeral home during the arrangement process, don't be surprised if they look like they were printed 50 years ago or longer and look like they've been waiting for someone to save them from the stack of cards to be destroyed. They are usually powdery, for lack of a better description. Usually there are sentiments already preprinted inside. These “canned” sentiments are sometimes helpful with certain phrases you are seeking, they do very little to convey the true meaning of your thanks!

As you prepare to write your personal bereavement cards, remember to keep it brief, sincere, personal and specific. One of the biggest tasks will be thanking people you don't know well, or know at all. But, the most important thought to remember is just be sincere with your thoughts and ideas. We have lots of sample bereavement cards wording ideas, sympathy condolence cards wording verses and bereavement cards sayings for sympathy cards for you to use. Obviously, people understand you situation and will be happy to hear from you.

Before you decide on your funeral cards wordings, bereavement cards wordings or sayings for sympathy thank you cards, we suggest you review our bereavement card wording etiquette. These suggested wording ideas etiquette are for formal cards, but for less formal bereavement sympathy thank you cards, you may use your own discretion.

• No punctuation should be used except after courtesy titles such as Mr. and Dr.
• Capital letters are treated like sentences and are only capitalized as you would read wording like a sentence. It is not necessary to capitalize the first letter of each line.
• Capitalize proper names and courtesy titles
• Years need not be used, but if you want to include it, be sure to spell it out (Two thousand and seven)
• Times are spelled out and refer to the placement of hands of a clock.
      a. Half after two or half past six (not 6:30 p.m.)
      b. Four o’clock in the afternoon (not 4:00 p.m.)
      c. Six o’clock in the evening
• Numbers in the date are spelled out and follow the day (Sunday, the third of May)
• Formal invitations are usually written in third-person. For example, “Mr. and Mrs. John Boston” rather than “We.”

 

Here’s more interesting facts, details and information ABOUT:

• Bereavement Cards
• Bereavement Thank You Cards
• Condolence Cards
• Death Announcements Cards
• Funeral Announcements Cards
• Funeral Thank You Cards
• Sympathy Cards
• Sympathy Thank You Cards
• Bereavement Wording Ideas, Sympathy Cards Wording Verses and Sayings for Condolence Cards

 

Please click any link to view our extensive collection of personalized Bereavement cards, custom Sympathy cards, printed Condolence cards and FREE Bereavement thank you cards.