If you can't attend a loved one's funeral or want to extend your support to the deceased's close relatives, you might consider writing the family a sympathy card. A well-written sympathy card is a beautiful way to comfort those who are grieving. You can make the message and supportive gesture more meaningful by following the proper etiquette for writing sympathy cards, which you can learn from these do's and don'ts. 

Do:

Be compassionate.

Writing a sympathy card is a good way to share your condolences with the recipient and tell them how sorry you are about their loss. Through your compassion, you can share a happy memory of the deceased loved one to explain your connection to them. The memory will be an enjoyable read for the card's recipient. 

Handwrite your message.

Though many sympathy cards include a pre-written message, adding a personal note is fine. However, handwriting your message is more meaningful than typing it. It's common for people to keep their sympathy cards for comfort. Writing a note in an email or text doesn't produce the same meaningful impact as a carefully selected, handwritten card. 

Don't:

Mention the circumstances surrounding the card.

Sympathy cards can be challenging to write and read due to the nature of the message. Though you can offer condolences for the person's loss, it's best not to rehash the situation. There's no need to mention details about the person's death. Doing so may make the reader sad because the card reminds them of how their loved one died. 

Offer anything you can't provide. 

One thing people often include in their sympathy cards is a show of support. Family and friends in mourning may be overwhelmed with planning the funeral service, handling their deceased loved one's final business, and dealing with their grief. As a result, they may need help.

You can show your support in several ways, such as being available to talk on the phone, preparing meals for the family, and helping them clean after the funeral or memorial service. However, it would be best not to mention anything you cannot do. For instance, don't write that you will prepare a week's worth of meals if you have no time to do so. 

The caring staff at Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home Inc. is proud to help Canandaigua, NY, residents with all aspects of their funeral planning. For over a century, this funeral home has helped residents throughout Rochester and the surrounding areas plan lovely, respectful funerals to honor the lives of their deceased loved ones. They also offer cremation, graveside, and memorial services to accommodate each client's needs. Call (585) 394-4280 to request assistance, or visit them online for more details about their services.