How to Respond to Sympathy Cards
Dealing with the loss of a loved one can prove an overwhelming ordeal. The bereaved often look toward family and friends for consolation as they navigate through the emotional flux a passing can deliver. Flowers, handwritten cards, notes of condolences and other customary tokens of sympathy can also offer comfort and help alleviate the grief. Knowing how to acknowledge these supportive gestures can eliminate unnecessary worry during times of mourning.
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Instructions
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Identify who should receive a note of thanks. According to Peggy Post, a director of the Emily Post Institute and author of "Emily Post's Etiquette," "It's customary to write a brief note to each person who sent you personal condolences." In addition to handwritten notes and cards, Post goes on to include flowers, charity donations or an arranged mass card as "personal condolences." Preprinted sympathy cards without a handwritten personal note do not require a response.
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Enlist the assistance of friends to organize well wishers' contributions and respond on your behalf should the task seem daunting or overwhelming. It's acceptable and understandable to ask for help during such a difficult time. However, for some, writing sympathy thank you notes in private can provide a sense of peace, purpose and closure.
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Keep your responses simple and brief. Use preprinted thank you notes if you'd like, but write a few short specific lines of gratitude, and sign your name in pen to personalize your appreciation. Online resources like My-thank-you-site.com and Thankyounotewording.info can help you put your thoughts into words. Most importantly, give yourself enough time to ensure you're emotionally prepared to thank those who offered comfort during your time of need.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit silver thank you image by Brett Mulcahy from Fotolia.com
