• As a general rule of thumb, keep sympathy and bereavement messages relatively short.

• Some commonly used phrases in sympathy messages include:

  • Our thoughts and prayers are with you

  • “Name of deceased” will remain in our hearts forever

  • Our deepest sympathy

  • With deepest sympathy

  • With heartfelt condolences

  • “Name of deceased” will always be in our hearts and memories

  • Please accept my condolences

  • I am sorry for your loss

• If the deceased is a person that you knew very well, it is proper etiquette to convey how much that person meant to you and how much you will miss them (ex. Aunt Jackie meant the world to me and I will miss her greatly).

• If you did not know the deceased very well, keep the card short and simple (ex. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jack Skinner and Family).

• Acknowledging the loss of the person who has died is acceptable etiquette (ex. Please accept my condolences on your loss).

• Use your last name when signing the message (ex. With Love, Carmen Johnson). Even if the person you are sending the card to is a family member who knows you very well, it is still a good idea to sign your last name because there may be other friends or family members with the same first name as yours.

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