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The greeting card has its roots in the history of several different cultures. Simple strips of papyrus with messages expressing general goodwill were exchanged by Chinese and Egyptian cultures a very long time ago. he European tradition of sending written greetings at holidays is as old as about the 1400s and continued for hundreds of years, though during this time, cards were a handmade luxury item.
Mass production, as well as the advent of the postage stamp, added to the popularization of the greeting card in the 1850s. Greeting cards intended specifically for the purpose of expressing sympathy are a peculiarly Western phenonmenon, with the United States leading in their usage. -
Sympathy cards are sent in response to the loss of a loved one. Cards are sent to the bereaved by well-wishers as a way of quietly expressing support. These cards generally make use of short poetry and calming images in order to create an expression of tranquility and hope. Religious symbolism is also used. Black, the traditional color of mourning, is almost never used prominently.
The Hallmark Company has long been the leading seller of sympathy cards in the United States, with sentiments expressed for particular types of death. - Different cultures have varying understanding of what are and are not appropriate ways to express sympathy in writing. While cards are considered highly fitting in the U.S., many European cultures have found sympathy telegrams to be a better choice. Although other forms of greeting cards have become popular in electronic form, sympathy e-cards haven't been as popular.
- Sympathy cards can be an excellent way to express support in a manner that puts the least possible amount of stress on the person in need of comfort. Dealing with a particularly painful loss can make it difficult to deal with and communicate with a great deal of people one-on-one, and bereaved loved ones often find the days after a death to be particular stressful--especially if they are involved with funeral arrangements. For this reason, cards are an excellent way to reach out.
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Always take care to use sympathy cards appropriately and sensitively. Do not consider a card to be adequate support by themselves but an offer that you are open to give more support if needed. Personal messages, even if they are very short and simple, should be added to every card, but avoid going into great amounts of detail that may stir up painful emotions at inopportune moments.
If cards are given in person rather than sent through the mail, it is appropriate to place your card on a table, mantel or other easy-to-find place rather than hand it directly to the person.
