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Wording for Sympathy Card

Puja Lalwani
When sending out a sympathy card to someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one, choosing the appropriate wording becomes essential. It helps summarize your expression of sympathy perfectly. Here is a guideline about what to write in a sympathy card.
Giving condolences to a person who is going through the loss of a loved one, is one of the most difficult things to do. We know what it is like, to lose someone so dear, and the pain cannot be explained to anybody. It is a complex feeling, coming to terms with the reality of the situation and trying to cope with the changes it brings to our lives thereafter.
When someone loses a loved one, it is difficult to experience the pain they are going through, but giving sympathy to them is what we can do to help them. What to say to someone when he loses a loved one is difficult, and you don't want to say anything that will hurt that person even further.
Also, a lot of us find it difficult to meet such person, as you don't know what to say that will make him feel better. At a time like this, sending a sympathy card that will summarize all your condolences is one of the best ways to get your sympathies across.

Wording Examples

As aforementioned, the loss of a loved one is a very sensitive time for anyone, and when sending a sympathy card, you must ensure that you include some meaningful and appropriate messages and sayings.
You don't want to include messages like 'it was for the best', or even 'I know what you are going through', because even if you have experienced something like this before, no one likes to hear of someone else's grief when they are grieving themselves. To avoid any such circumstances, take a look at some of these examples.
  • I can not imagine what you are going through. Please know that I am here for you when you are ready to talk.
  • In ways we do not understand, our loved one will be present in our lives forever. Something good will happen tomorrow or the day after. Keep faith and love will lead you through this horrible pain. My condolences.
  • Healing moves at its own pace. Be kind to yourself and take it one day at a time. I know your heart is aching and I am truly sorry for your loss.
  • Thinking of you, wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow, comfort in the midst of pain.
  • Words cannot heal the pain of losing someone so dear. May God give you the strength to overcome the pain.
  • You can choose to look into the world and see ________ (deceased) and the love they shared with the people in their lives.________ (deceased) was so much more on this planet and will live in our hearts forever.
  • May the God of comfort help you during this difficult time, and may the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.
  • May you be comforted by the loving memories of ________. Though the ones we love may leave life as we know it, in our memory, the love we know will always stay.
Apart from these, you can also use some quotes that will help you express all that you are trying to communicate with the bereaved. Sometimes, using simple verses in the card can speak a lot. Wording for sympathy cards in the form of verses have been given here.
Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pour through, and shines down upon us to let us know that they are happy. - Unknown
When those we love have left this earth, we still can feel them near. We'll see a picture, hear a song, and it's just like they are here. And when we call upon our faith, when we believe and trust, we know the ones we care about are always close to us. - Constance Parker Graham
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~ Kahlil Gibran

The angels are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hand of God. - Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994
Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.

Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear,
Just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
love leaves a memory no one can steal.
- From a headstone in Ireland
Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.
Into each life some rain must fall
but sunshine does appear.
It brings with it a rainbow
and a message that is clear.
Please know that you are not alone
that we all hold you dear
Let faith and hope into your heart
and keep your memories near.
No time on earth is long enough
to share with those we love
or to prepare our hearts for good-bye.
May time soften the pain
until all that remains
is the comfort
of memories and love.
The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand,
The sun goes down but gentle warmth still lingers on the land,
The music stops and yet it echoes on in sweet refrains...
For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains.
The aforementioned sympathy card wording can help you send the condolences to those who are going through the loss of an extremely special one in their lives, to let them know that you are there, supporting them in their grief and sorrow.
Any sayings or messages in a sympathy card should be genuine, warm, and heartfelt, as these feelings reflect in the message you send, and help the person know that there is someone (s)he can count on, at such a sorrowful time.