When we hear the news of death of a family member, a friend or acquaintance, we make it a point to attend the funeral. If for any reason, we cannot attend it, we send our condolences in the form of a sympathy card. Even though it is said that condolences should be sent as soon as we hear the news, it is difficult to express the loss of someone special in a few words. Still, sentiments expressed through a simple message written on the card are capable of building a bridge of communication, through which you can express your sympathy. If you don’t know how to write a sympathy card, when you can not or do not attend the funeral, go through this article. Here, we have listed some tips on writing a sympathy card.
How To Write A Sympathy Card
- The text of the sympathy card should not exceed four lines. The first line will address the person receiving the card and will be followed by your message (within two to three lines) and then, your name and signature.
- The message written in a sympathy card should be simple and specific.
- Include phrases like “our thoughts and prayers are with you”, “with deepest sympathy” or “with heartfelt condolences”. Make sure that you insert only one of the above phrases in the message.
- If the deceased person is somebody close to you, then do not forget to mention how much he/she meant for you, in your life and how much you would miss him/her.
- In case you do not know the deceased person well, keep the message short and simple. However, you should still include the common phrases used in sympathy cards, like “our deepest sympathy” or “I am sorry for your loss“.
- Do not forget to write your last name while signing the message. Even if the person to whom you are sending the card is your family member or a close acquaintance, it is wise to include your last name in the sympathy card.
- A common mistake committed by people while writing sympathy cards is the use of “time will heal all wounds” or “it was his time to go” - these words should not be included in your sympathy card. They might offend the other person.