Writing a sympathy card is hard, and most people worry about saying the wrong thing. The good news is that a short, sincere note is almost always enough. Say you are sorry, share a memory if you have one, and let them know you are thinking of them.
Below is how to write a sympathy card, followed by 75 sympathy card messages sorted by the loss: a parent, a spouse, a sibling, a child, a grandparent, a friend, a coworker and a pet, plus religious messages and Bible verses.
Article contents
- What to Write in a Sympathy Card
- Short Sympathy Card Messages
- General Sympathy Card Messages
- Sympathy Messages for a Friend
- Messages for Loss of Mother
- Messages for Loss of Father
- Messages for Loss of a Husband or Wife
- Messages for Loss of a Sibling
- Messages for Loss of a Child
- Messages for Loss of a Grandparent
- Condolence Messages for a Coworker
- Messages for a Sudden Loss
- Messages Weeks or Months Later
- Religious Sympathy Messages and Bible Verses
- Pet Sympathy Messages
- What Not to Write in a Sympathy Card
- How to Sign a Sympathy Card
- Frequently Asked Questions
What to Write in a Sympathy Card
- Say you are sorry. "I am so sorry for your loss" is simple and right.
- Use the name of the person who died if you knew them. It shows they are remembered.
- Share a short memory or a quality you admired. One sentence is enough.
- Offer something specific if you can. A meal, a ride, a call next week.
- Close with care. "With love," "With deepest sympathy" or "Thinking of you."
Example: "Dear Ann, I am so sorry about your dad. I will always remember him cheering the loudest at every one of our softball games. I will drop off dinner on Thursday. With love, Kate"
Short Sympathy Card Messages
A few words are enough when you do not know the person well. For more, see our short sympathy messages.
- I am so sorry. You are in my heart.
- Our family is thinking of yours.
- You are in my thoughts every day.
- With sympathy and love.
- Sending love and comfort.
- I am here for you.
- So sorry. Thinking of you today.
- With love and sympathy at this sad time.
General Sympathy Card Messages
- I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I am thinking of you and your family.
- There are no words that make this easier, but please know I care about you.
- I was so sad to hear the news. Sending you love and strength.
- I am holding your family in my heart this week.
- I wish I could take some of this pain away. I am here if you need anything.
- Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. You are not alone in this.
- I will always remember his kindness. I am so sorry.
- She made everyone around her feel welcome. I will miss her very much.
- I hope the love of the people around you brings some comfort in the days ahead.
- Thinking of you and remembering a life that meant so much to so many.
Sympathy Messages for a Friend
- I am so sorry, friend. I am here for you now and in the weeks ahead.
- You have been there for me so many times. Please let me be here for you.
- I love you and I am so sorry. Call me anytime, day or night.
- I am bringing dinner on Tuesday. Please do not worry about a thing.
- There is nothing I can say to fix this, but I will sit with you as long as you need.
- Sending you a hug and all my love. I will check in on you this week.
Messages for Loss of Mother
For more, see our sympathy messages for the loss of a mother.
- Your mom was one of the warmest people I have ever met. I am so sorry.
- I will always remember your mother's laugh and her kindness to everyone.
- Your mom loved you so much. I hope that love surrounds you now.
- I am so sorry about your mother. She raised a wonderful family.
Messages for Loss of Father
For more, see our sympathy messages for the loss of a father.
- Your dad was a good and generous man. I am so sorry for your loss.
- I will miss your father's stories and his big handshake.
- Your dad was so proud of you. I am thinking of you and your family.
- I am so sorry about your father. He made a difference to so many people.
Messages for Loss of a Husband or Wife
- I am so sorry about John. The two of you were a wonderful team.
- Your marriage was something special. I am holding you in my heart.
- I cannot imagine how much you miss her. I am here for whatever you need.
- He adored you. I am so sorry for your loss.
- Thinking of you as you face the days ahead. You are surrounded by people who love you.
Messages for Loss of a Sibling
- I am so sorry about your brother. I know how close the two of you were.
- Your sister was a light in every room. I am so sorry.
- Losing a sibling means losing someone who knew you from the start. I am thinking of you.
- I will always remember how much he made us laugh. I am so sorry.
Messages for Loss of a Child
Keep these simple. Do not try to explain the loss. Say you are sorry, say the child's name, and say you are there.
- There are no words for a loss like this. We love you and we are here.
- We are holding your family close and grieving with you.
- Your daughter touched so many lives. We will always remember her.
- We are so deeply sorry. Your son will not be forgotten.
- We are here for you, today and in all the days ahead.
Messages for Loss of a Grandparent
- I am so sorry about your grandmother. She was so proud of you.
- Your grandpa had a way of making everyone feel welcome. I am so sorry.
- I know how much your grandma meant to you. I am thinking of you.
- What a full life he lived, and what a gift he was to your family. I am so sorry.
Condolence Messages for a Coworker
For a card from a team, see our guide to expressing sympathy at work.
- Take all the time you need. We are all so sorry.
- The whole team is thinking of you and your family.
- We are so sorry. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
- Sending our deepest sympathy from all of us at the office.
- Please do not worry about work. We have it covered. We are thinking of you.
Messages for a Sudden Loss
- I was stunned and heartbroken to hear the news. I am so sorry.
- Nothing prepares us for a loss like this. I am here for you.
- I keep thinking of you and your family. Please lean on me.
- I am so sorry. I will be here in the weeks and months ahead, not only now.
Messages Weeks or Months Later
Cards often stop coming after the funeral. A note a few weeks later, or on an anniversary or birthday, can mean a great deal. See also our heavenly birthday messages.
- I know the months after a loss can be the hardest. I am thinking of you.
- Remembering your mom with you today, on what would have been her birthday.
- I have been thinking about you and wanted you to know I still remember him.
- It has been a year, and I still miss her too. Thinking of you today.
Religious Sympathy Messages and Bible Verses
For someone who shares your faith. The verses are from the New International Version (NIV). For more, see our Christian sympathy card guide and Christian sympathy cards.
- Praying for you and your family as you grieve.
- May God give you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
- We are praying God holds you close right now.
- She is at peace with the Lord. We are praying for all of you.
Bible verses for a sympathy card
- "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
- "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)
- "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)
- "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
Pet Sympathy Messages
For more, see our pet sympathy messages.
- Max was such a good boy. I am so sorry.
- I know how much she meant to you. Thinking of you.
- Your cat was lucky to have a home full of so much love.
- I am so sorry. Losing a pet is losing a member of the family.
What Not to Write in a Sympathy Card
- "I know how you feel." Every loss is different.
- "Everything happens for a reason." It can sound like the loss was deserved or needed.
- "At least..." Any sentence that starts this way tends to shrink the loss.
- Questions about how the person died.
- A long story about your own loss.
How to Sign a Sympathy Card
"With deepest sympathy," "With love," "Thinking of you," "With heartfelt condolences" and "Holding you close" all work. For a family card, sign each name or write "The Smith family." See more in how to sign a card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you write in a sympathy card?
Say you are sorry, use the name of the person who died, share a short memory if you have one, and close with care. Two to four sentences is enough.
What is a good short sympathy message?
"I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family." is simple and sincere.
When should I send a sympathy card?
As soon as you hear the news is best, usually within two weeks. It is never too late, and a card weeks or months later is often welcome.
Is it okay to send a sympathy card if I did not know the person who died?
Yes. Write to the person you know. "I did not know your father, but I know how much he meant to you" is a kind way to start.
Should I include a quote or a Bible verse?
A short quote or verse can help, especially if the family shares your faith. See our grief quotes for sympathy cards.
Our Bible Verse Sympathy Cards and Nautical Lighthouse Cards are blank inside. See all sympathy and condolence cards.
