According to Funeralwise.com, a thank you note is not needed for everyone who sends a sympathy card. Thank you notes should be sent to anyone that offered something beyond a simple card, but they are not required in response to a sympathy card alone.
Do you need to send a thank you card for a sympathy card?
Who should receive sympathy thank you notes? You don’t need to send a formal thank you note to everyone who attended the funeral/visitation or sent you a sympathy card. Instead, a thank you note or acknowledgement should be sent to anyone who has done something extra, including: People who sent or brought flowers.
What is proper etiquette for acknowledging sympathy cards?
It should say something like, “Thank you for your kind words during our time of sadness.” It’s best if the message comes from the person most closely related to the deceased — the wife in the case of a husband’s passing, for example — or from the person most closely related to the person who sent the original note of …
Do you say thank you to condolences?
While you do not have to write a thank you card in response to a simple note of sympathy or condolences you’ve received after a death, it is traditional to thank those who have really gone out of their way to help you or to honor your loved one.
What is proper etiquette for thank you notes after a funeral?
Thank you notes should always be written as soon as you are able to. Most people will understand if they don’t receive one within a week of the funeral. There isn’t a strict time limit, but it’s best to finish writing and sending them within a couple of months. You’ll be relieved afterward to have it all behind you.
Should you send sympathy cards to family members?
Generally, sympathy cards are sent to the widow(er), eldest child, or a parent. If you did not know the deceased personally, send the sympathy card to the closest relative that you knew. If it’s a grieving friend and you didn’t know the deceased person’s family, only send the card to your friend.
When should you not send a sympathy card?
It’s best to send a card within two weeks of a loss. While two weeks is ideal, it’s never too late to send someone a sympathy card or note to express your feelings for their loss.
How do you thank someone for a sympathy gift?
Sample Sympathy Thank You Cards
We felt so loved and honored that you took the time to send a sympathy gift and appreciate you thinking of us. We still miss _____ every day, but with friends like you, we know we will be okay. Thank you so much for the wonderful gift you sent our family.
References:
- https://www.funeralwise.com/funeral-etiquette/thank-you/
- https://classroom.synonym.com/proper-etiquette-thankyou-receiving-sympathy-card-9095.html
- https://www.myfarewelling.com/article/do-i-have-to-write-thank-you-notes-after-a-funeral
- https://www.thespruce.com/funeral-thank-you-notes-1216566
- https://www.neptunesociety.com/cremation-information-articles/a-step-by-step-guide-on-writing-a-sympathy-card
- https://www.buschcares.com/blog/10-questions-and-answers-about-funeral-etiquette
- https://www.spoonfulofcomfort.com/blog/write-funeral-thank-you-cards/