Sending a greeting card is an excellent way to express your condolences. (This is too general and could be taxing to the person receiving the card.)

(Grieving is too personal and unique to the individual to make a statement like this.) Phrases such as the following may not be appropriate to include when composing your message for the sympathy card: If you feel any phrase or wording could upset your recipient further, it is best play it safe and leave that part out of your message. You want to always remain sensitive to that person in your message. Keep in mind that the person you are sending the sympathy greeting card to is currently grieving their loss.

With deepest sympathy at this time of sorrow.

My heartfelt condolences on the loss of your (mother/husband/friend).

Please accept our condolences on the loss of your (mother/husband/friend).

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

(Name of deceased's) memory will forever be with us.

(Name of deceased) will always be in our hearts.

Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Suggestions and Examples of Appropriate Phrases to Express your Sentiment:

Your message should be short and simple, the exception being if you were especially close to the person and want to share fond thoughts or memories.

Print your return address on the envelope so a thank you card can be sent back to you.

No matter how close you are, there could be others who have your same first name.

When signing the sympathy greeting card, be sure to always include your last name.

If you want to send condolences to a mourning family member or friend but did not know the deceased, address the card to that particular person.

If you don't know the family, but knew the deceased, the proper etiquette is to send the sympathy card to the closest relative of the deceased, who is generally the widow/widower or the eldest child.

Keeping handy an assortment box of classic sympathy cards will help make sure that card gets mailed as quickly as possible, without an extra trip to the store. Mail your sympathy card as soon as possible after learning the difficult news. Here are the Who, What, When, Where and How's to sending Sympathy Cards: The sympathy card messages you include are equally as important. It is important to acknowledge and express your sympathy to those closest to the deceased. One of the most difficult things to do in a greeting card is express condolences, because losing loved ones is such a personal event and everybody deals with their emotions differently.

My sincere condolences images