When you’ve lost someone the last thing you want to be doing is admin. But as the days pass and you get more and more thoughtful parcels and cards you might start thinking about how to thank everyone who reached out.
Receiving a Sympathy gift can catch you off guard. Somebody sends a memory box, a blanket, a care package that’s full of things to get you through the hardest week of your life and you’re grateful for it but a bit lost for words.
But a thank you note for a sympathy gift doesn’t need to be anything particularly special. You don’t have to write a lot or make it sound perfect.
So to help we have wording examples for all sorts of gifts. From care packages and keepsakes to memorial plants and group gifts along with a few tips to make the whole thing that little bit easier.
How to Word a Thank You Note for a Sympathy Gift
There’s no formula you have to stick to but if you don’t know where to start the following simple structure works well:
- Open by addressing the person – “Dear ______” is fine and never feels wrong
- Thank them and mention the gift so they know it arrived and you appreciated it- “thank you so much for the beautiful memory box you sent”
- Say something about how it made you feel or how it helped – “it gave me such comfort during a really hard week”
- Finish by signing off – “with love”, “warmly” or “my heartfelt thanks” all work well – then sign your name by hand if you can
Naming the gift is the one thing I’d really encourage. It makes what could be a very generic thank you more personal and shows you have thought a little more about it.
Thank You Note Examples for Sympathy Gifts
The examples below are grouped by the kind of gift you’ve received. If you were sent flowers, food or money we’ve got separate examples for those too.
Thank You for a Sympathy Gift Basket or Care Package
A care package is a really practical gift that shows somebody has thought about what you need. Let them know it made a difference.
Dear ______,
Thank you so much for the care package. Having those little comforts to hand this week has meant more than you know, especially on the days I couldn’t face doing anything at all. It was such a thoughtful thing to do.
With love,
________
******************
Dear ______,
The gift basket you sent was so kind and so needed. You clearly put real thought into every single thing in it. Thank you for looking after us when we didn’t have the energy to look after ourselves.
Warmly,
________
******************
Dear ______,
I don’t know how you knew exactly what we needed but you did. Thank you for the care package and for thinking of us during such a hard time. It was a real comfort.
My heartfelt thanks,
________
Thank You for a Memorial or Keepsake Gift
Keepsakes are some of the most touching gifts. Something like a photo frame or a piece of memorial jewelry is a gift you will keep years so your thanks can reflect just how much it means.
Dear ______,
Thank you for the beautiful keepsake. It’s already become something I reach for when I’m missing [name] the most. To have something so special to hold onto means the world to me.
With love,
________
******************
Dear ______,
I can’t tell you how much the memorial gift touched me. Having a way to keep [name] close is the greatest comfort I could have asked for. Thank you for such a thoughtful and lasting gesture.
Warmly,
________
******************
Dear ______,
The photo frame you sent now sits right where I can see it every day. Thank you for giving me a way to keep [name]’s memory alive in the house. It’s a gift I’ll treasure always.
My thanks and love,
________
Thank You for a Sympathy Plant or Memorial Tree
A living gift like a plant or a memorial tree is a lovely thing to receive because it grows and lasts. You can use that when you writing your thanks.
Dear ______,
Thank you for the beautiful plant. I love that it’s something living I can care for and watch grow, a little reminder of [name] that will be with me for a long time. It was such a thoughtful choice.
Warmly,
________
******************
Dear ______,
The memorial tree is the most wonderful gift. Knowing there’s something rooted and growing in [name]’s memory brings me real peace. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
With love,
________
******************
Dear ______,
Thank you for the plant you sent. It’s found a home right by the window and every time I water it I think of your kindness and of [name]. A truly special gift.
My heartfelt thanks,
________
Thank You for a Comfort Gift like a Blanket or Candle
Comforting gifts like a throw, a candle, something scented etc. will help you rest and when you’re at your lowest.
Dear ______,
Thank you for the cozy blanket. It’s been my constant companion on the sofa these past couple of weeks and there’s real comfort in being wrapped up in something a friend chose for me. So thoughtful.
With love,
________
******************
Dear ______,
The candle you sent has been lit most evenings since it arrived. There’s something calming about it at the end of these long, heavy days. Thank you for such a gentle, kind gift.
Warmly,
________
******************
Dear ______,
Thank you for thinking of my comfort at a time like this. The gift you sent has been a small pocket of calm in a very hard few weeks and I’m so grateful for it.
My thanks,
________
Thank You for a Donation Made in Their Memory
When somebody gives to a charity in your loved one’s name instead of sending a gift it’s a beautiful tribute. Mention the cause as well as how generous they’ve been. If you’ve received money directly you might also want to look at our guide on thank you notes for money.
Dear ______,
Thank you for the donation you made in [name]’s memory. Choosing a cause so close to their heart was a truly touching tribute and it means a great deal to know their name lives on in that way.
With love,
________
******************
Dear ______,
We were so moved to hear you gave to [charity] in [name]’s memory. It’s exactly the kind of gesture they would have loved. Thank you for honoring them so thoughtfully.
Warmly,
________
Thank You for a Group or Workplace Gift
Sometimes a gift comes from a whole team, a workplace or just a group of friends who all got together. One note addressed to everyone is fine in this case.
Dear all,
Thank you so much for the lovely gift. Knowing it came from all of you, and that you were thinking of me together, has been a real source of strength this week. I’m so grateful to have such kind people around me.
Warmly,
________
******************
Dear team,
The gift from everyone at the office truly touched me. It’s not easy going through something like this, and your thoughtfulness has made the return to normal life a little gentler. Thank you all so much.
My heartfelt thanks,
________
Short Thank You Notes for a Sympathy Gift
If you’ve a long list of people to thank and not much left in the tank, short and sincere is absolutely enough. Nobody expects an essay.
Dear ______,
Thank you for the thoughtful gift. It brought real comfort at a difficult time and I’m so grateful for your kindness.
With love,
________
******************
Dear ______,
Your gift meant so much to me. Thank you for thinking of us and for your support.
Warmly,
________
******************
Dear ______,
Thank you for the beautiful gift and for your kindness. It hasn’t gone unnoticed and it’s truly appreciated.
My thanks,
________
******************
Dear ______,
Just a note to say thank you for the lovely gift. It was such a comfort to know you were thinking of me.
Love,
________
When Should You Send Thank You Notes for Sympathy Gifts?
There’s no deadline you have to send your thank yous by so don’t feel guilty about it if you haven’t sent them as quickly as you wanted to. As a rough guide sending your notes within two to three weeks of receiving a gift is lovely if you can manage it. But grief doesn’t keep to any sort of timeline and anyone kind enough to send a gift will completely understand if it takes you a bit longer.
If it’s been quite a few weeks and you’re only now getting to them that’s fine. A late thank you is always better than not sending one at all and it’s never too late to let someone know how much you appreciated their gesture.
Tips for Writing Thank You Notes for Sympathy Gifts
- Make sure you name the gift. It’s the easiest way to make a note feel more personal and so the sender knows it arrived safely.
- Keep it honest rather than fancy. A few lines will be better than a long and polished paragraph.
- Don’t feel you have to write them all in one go. Do a few a day and the pile will quickly get smaller without wearing you out.
- It’s fine to sign “from the family of [name]” if the gift was sent to the household rather than to you personally.
- If the list feels overwhelming then ask a family member or close friend to help. People are more the happy to lend a hand at times like this.
- Handwrite the notes if you can even if the rest is pre printed. A signature in your own hand makes it feel more special and personal.
- If you’re not sure how a particular gift fits then our guides on sympathy cards and condolence messages may help you find the right words.
Being on the receiving end of such an outpouring of kindness can feel like a lot but taking a moment to acknowledge it is worth doing – both for the person who reached out and for yourself.
Hopefully these examples have taken some of the pressure off and given you a starting point for your own notes.
