![\"sad](\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/girl-447701_1280-1024x687.jpg\")
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Most of us know exactly what to write in a birthday or Christmas card \u2013 after all, we\u2019ve been writing them at the same time every year for many years – however, when it comes to those less frequent occasions, we can struggle with knowing what to say. Especially when someone is grieving. There are no set rules for this, and we are not taught about what to write in sympathy cards in school; this is something we have to learn for ourselves, and it can get some of us rather stressed out. After all, what if we write the wrong thing?<\/p>\n
Nobody wants<\/em> to have to write a sympathy card, but it is impossible to go through life and not have anybody you care for experience a loss. It is a fact of life. When these heart-breaking events occur, we naturally want to convey our condolences to our loved ones and offer our support, and despite all other contact (text messages, phone calls, emails, etc.) the best way to do this is through the sending of a sympathy card. I am not suggesting you don\u2019t do the other things \u2013 in fact, I encourage these other options also \u2013 but there is something special about a handwritten note in these circumstances that cannot be replaced. It is a time of reflection for the bereaved, and handwritten cards and letters can be read and re-read by the recipient, and then kept if they so wish.<\/p>\n There are no real rules, but the below are some tips which will help guide you in what to write:<\/p>\n Don\u2019t tell them you know how they feel \u2013 we all process loss differently. Don\u2019t offer advice, don\u2019t focus on the circumstances surrounding the death, don\u2019t assign blame, and don\u2019t tell them they will feel better in X amount of time. Just be gently supportive. Think about what you would like or need to hear if you were in their shoes.<\/p>\n Grief can last a very long time, and loss can be especially hard for those left behind on special occasions such as the deceased\u2019s birthday, wedding anniversaries, Christmas, and the anniversary of their death. You could make a note of these dates, and offer support to your friend or relative on these tough milestones. Your note can be simple; just let them know they are in your thoughts, and the offer of help still stands if needed. Let them know it is OK to still be feeling sad.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most of us know exactly what to write in a birthday or Christmas card \u2013 after all, we\u2019ve been writing them at the same time every year for many years – however, when it comes to those less frequent occasions, we can struggle with knowing what to say. Especially when someone is grieving. There are…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":3901,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[283],"tags":[106,109,66,110,108,107],"yoast_head":"\nTips for writing a sympathy card<\/h2>\n
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What not to write in a sympathy card<\/h2>\n
Following up your sympathy card<\/h2>\n