Thoughtful Words for a Thank You or Sympathy Note

• Expressions of sympathy may include flowers and offers of help. white rose 8. image by mdb from Fotolia.com

  Writing a sympathy note is not the easiest of tasks. The person writing it wants to give comfort, while realizing that nothing she says is really going to make the recipient feel better. However, if she has ever been bereaved herself, she will realize that at a time like this it really is the thought that counts. It is also likely that as the first shock of bereavement passes, the person will return to these cards and letters and read them again. She will sincerely want to write and thank those who were sympathetic. Again, these may not be the easiest words to write, but writing them may help the healing process.

Timing

• It is important to send an expression of sympathy as soon as possible. This is one occasion when handwritten words cannot really be replaced by something already composed and written. The bereaved person wanting to write a thank you letter will usually know when he is ready to do this.

Sincerity

• For both sympathy and thank you letters, the most important thing is to be sincere. The person writing the letter should follow her heart, and write in plain language what she wishes to say. The letter does not have to be long; it might be better to keep it fairly brief. If there is something that is particularly resonant, this can be mentioned. For instance, there may be a special memory of the deceased that the writer can mention.

Personal

• Try to make the letter personal. Just a short reference can be enough. Avoid overly flowery language and cliches, as these can make the other person feel embarrassed. But this does vary among people; some are not nearly as sensitive to the actual words, being much more concerned with the fact of the letter being written.