What Should I Write in a Condolence Card?

Funeral homes provide a space where family and friends can come together to celebrate the life of a lost loved one. It is also customary for guests to bring flowers, gifts, and condolence cards to those closest to the deceased. If you’re wondering what you should write in the condolence card you’re preparing for a funeral, this guide can help:

Express Condolences
It is always a good idea to start off a condolence card by sharing a message of sympathy. Talk about how you will miss the deceased and how you are sorry for the family’s loss. Avoid common expressions about the deceased being in a better place or a higher power having some sort of plan, as these can seem insensitive to some during a time of grief.

Show Appreciation
Following a death, it is nice for the family of the deceased to hear positive things about their lost loved one. In your condolence card, you can describe qualities about the deceased that you appreciated or that you felt made your life better. These messages will help the family focus on what they loved about the deceased.

Share Memories
Another great way to fill out a condolence card is with cherished memories you have of the deceased. Write up a short memory that represents a quality you loved about the deceased. These memories can comfort the family, especially if they are stories that the family has never heard.

Offer Support
You might not be able to make the family’s pain or grief go away, but you can offer other forms of support. In your condolence card, express that you are available to help the family in any way possible. This can mean being there to talk or just listen or even helping with household chores that the family might neglect during their time of grief.

Chapel of the Chimes Oakland offers funeral services near Oakland. We also have a store where funeral home guests can purchase flowers and other gifts that are appropriate and comforting during funeral planning. Call us at (510) 654-0123 for more information.