Things You'll Need:
- Card stock or sympathy card.
- Pen or computer w/printer
- Any gift to be enclosed
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Step 1
Decide whether you prefer to purchase a sympathy card or make one. Either will be appreciated by the recipient during a time of loss. Either is better than not sending one.
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Step 2
Address the person the way you normally do and with a standard greeting.
Ex. Dear Joe, or My dear friend Mary -
Step 3
Keep it simple.
I am thinking of you during your time of loss, or
I am sorry for your loss and thinking of you.
Never say: I know how you feel or I know this is difficult. A person grieving has a lot of mixed emotions and may not feel like anyone else knows how they feel. -
Step 4
Be sincere with offers.
If you offer to make a meal, do it. It is better to just make the meal & find out when you can take it.
Another good gesture is to put a gift certificate for a free meal in the card. This really helps when there are children involved and a parent grieving. Pizza, sub sandwiches, or fast food gift certificates are good when kids are involved. Certificates give the kids something to look forward to and the parent a break.
You can even put a certificate for a homemade meal with your phone number on it. Be sure to include best time to call so that you have time to make the requested meal on the date requested.
