How to sign a sympathy card is often overlooked. The focus is usually on the sympathy message itself.
That’s understandable, and offering your condolences and words of comfort to the deceased should be the priority. But signing a sympathy card when you’ve written the message is important too.
I’ve always found the ending to be the trickiest part. I’d write a lovely message and then get stuck with finding the perfect closing sentiment or thoughts.
So if you need some help and aren’t sure how to end a sympathy card then this quick guide is for you. As well as signing off a sympathy card in the usual ways we’ll look at whether to keep it formal and the different things to say to those you know well and those you don’t.
How to Sign a Sympathy Card
How you sign your sympathy card will depend on your relationship with the deceased and to a certain extent on the message you’ve written. The more basic closing’s that you can use before signing your name are:
- Our sincere sympathy
- Please accept my condolences
- With caring thoughts
- With deepest sympathy
- Warmest condolences
- With sympathy
- You are in our thoughts and prayers
- Wishing you peace
- Sending you love
- Wishing you strength for today and hope for tomorrow
Try to keep things short, but avoid using anything like “Sincerely” as this can come across as too distant and formal.
Also consider your relationship to the recipient and deceased. When you sign the card consider using their name if you knew them well. This can add personalisation to the card, making it seem more genuine and sincere.
Also, including a more personal sentiment and perhaps the word “love” would be appropriate, depending on the relationship you had with the deceased. For closing your sympathy card the following sentiments would be a good starting point:
- With love
- With loving memories
- Thinking of you
- _______ will never be forgotten
- _______ will live on in our hearts
- _______ memory will never be forgotten
- _______ will remain in our hearts
- We will never forget ______
Extra Tips:
- It is often a good idea to keep your sympathy message or note brief, and the same applies to how you sign it. Don’t go on for too long, keep it short and simple.
- Sign your name, don’t leave it as anonymous. The recipient will want to know who it came from.
- If you’re signing a sympathy card for a pet then all the same rules apply. You can possibly be slightly more informal, but never forget that people appreciate and love their pets as much as they do family. Keep that in mind and avoid anything that might offend them.
- Unless you know it’s appropriate, avoid anything religious.
If you would like some more help with specific relationships (mother, father, coworker, with funeral flowers or a floral arrangement etc) the examples below should help.
Signing as a Close Friend
- My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. You know I’m always here for you, whatever you need. With sympathy, [your name]
- Don’t hesitate to reach out. I can be a friendly ear to listen or someone to talk to. Sending my condolences to you and your family.
- I’ll be round to see you very soon. Until then I’ll be thinking of you and remembering [name].
- I hope that I can be there to offer comfort and hope in this tragic time. With all my love and sympathy, [your name].
- Sharing in your sorrow and hoping you know I’m here for you. My condolences.
How to Sign a Sympathy Card for Loss of Mother
- May the memories of your mother bring you comfort and peace in the days ahead. With heartfelt condolences, [your name].
- Your mother was a beautiful soul and she will be deeply missed. Sending my love and condolences to you and your family. Warmly, [your name].
- Wishing you strength and comfort as you navigate through this very difficult time. With sincere sympathy, [your name].
- Sending you and your family love and light during this tragic time. [your name].
- Your mom will never be forgotten. My condolences.
How to Sign a Sympathy Card for Loss of Father
- Your father was a great person and his memory will live on forever. Sending condolences to you and your family. Warmly, [your name].
- I won’t ever forget your father. My sympathy and love to you and your family.
- We lost a truly special person. With deepest sympathy, [your name].
- My heart aches for you. I’m always here, whatever you need. [your name].
- May memories of your dad bring you some comfort. With heartfelt condolences,[your name].
How to Sign a Sympathy Card from a Business
- You are an important part of our team and we are saddened to learn of your loss. Please accept our condolences.
- Everyone is so sorry for your loss. Please take as long as you need, we are all thinking of you. Our condolences.
- Wishing you and your family strength and peace. My thoughts are with with all, [your name].
- We will stand by your side through this difficult time. With caring thoughts, [your name].
- From your work family – we feel your pain and want to let you know we are here for you. With our sympathy and condolences.
How to Sign a Sympathy Card for a Neighbor
- We are very sorry for your loss and are here for you if you need us. Our sincerest sympathy, [your name] and [your family].
- The whole neighborhood will rally round you. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
- Sending our warmest thoughts after your loss. With heartfelt sympathy, [your name].
- The community is here with love and support. With sincere condolences, [your name] and [your family].
- I hope you are coping and that you know I’m only a few doors away. With sympathy, [your name].
How to End a Sympathy Card for a Coworker
- I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. [your name].
- Know that I’m here if there’s anything you need. Sending love and condolences to you and your family. Warmly, [your name].
- My deepest condolences for your loss. Wishing you peace and comfort in the days ahead. Take care, [your name].
- We may only be colleagues but I’m here for you. You have my deepest sympathies and support.
- Please accept my sincere condolences for such a tragic loss. Thinking of you.
How to Sign a Sympathy Card for a Client
- We are deeply sorry for your loss and offer our sincerest condolences during this difficult time. Warmly, [your name] and the team at [company name].
- Your loss is felt deeply by us all. Please accept our heartfelt condolences and know that you and your family will be in our thoughts. With sincere sympathy, [your name] and the team at [company name].
- Your loss is a loss for us all. Offering our sincerest condolences. With warm regards, [your name].
- If there is anything we can do then please let us know. [your name].
- We send our condolences and thoughts to you during a moment of grief and sadness. With sympathy, [your name].
How to Sign a Sympathy Card from a Group of Coworkers
- Your loss is felt deeply by all of us at [company name]. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. With heartfelt condolences.
- With deepest sympathy from your coworkers at [company name].
- Your work family will be there for you after losing someone so important. We send our heartfelt condolences.
- Your colleagues will surround you with love and support. With warm thoughts.
- We remember [deceased’s name] and offer our support. May you find peace and strength. From everyone at [company name].
[coworkers’ names]
Religious Sympathy Card Closings
- May God’s love comfort and sustain you during this difficult time. Warmly, [your name].
- In His love and ours, [your name].
- May God’s love surround and uplift you. With love and sympathy, [your name].
- We will be praying for you and your family.
- May God’s loving embrace bring you peace, [your name].
How to Sign a Sympathy Card from a Family
- We share your sorrow and hope we can find strength together. With all our love, [family name].
- With the deepest sympathy from our family to yours, [your family name].
- As a family we are heartbroken by [names] passing. We are here for you though. Love, [family name].
- We have lost someone very special. Sharing your sorrow, [your family name].
- With sympathy and love from the [family name].
How to Sign a Sympathy Card from Multiple Families
- May the love and support of multiple families bring you some comfort during this time of loss. Please accept our heartfelt sympathies. Warmly, [your family names].
- Our families extend our sincerest sympathies to yours. May you find comfort in the love and support of family and friends. With sympathy, [your family names].
- From all of our families to yours, please know you are loved and have so many people looking out for you. It is with sadness we have to send this but offer much love and sympathy, [your family names].
- Our families stand with you and will be by your side. You aren’t alone. With caring thoughts, [your family names].
- Our families offer our deepest sympathies during this incredibly tough time. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. With love and condolences, [your family names].
How to Sign a Pet Sympathy Card
- My sincerest condolences for the loss of your beloved [pet’s name], [your name].
- Our furry friends become such an integral part of our families. Losing them is so hard and we offer our deepest sympathies for your loss of [pet’s name]. With love and condolences, [your name].
- As you say goodbye to your beloved [pet’s name] please know we are here. With sorrow and love, [your name].
- May the love and memories you shared with [pets name] bring you comfort. [your name].
- We know that the loss of [pet’s name] is immeasurable and your furry friend brought so much joy to your life. May their memory be a blessing. With love, [your name].
How to Sign a Sympathy Card for Someone you Don’t Know Well
- Although we may not know each other well please know that my heart goes out to you during this difficult time. My deepest sympathies for your loss. [your name].
- Even though we may not be well acquainted I hope you don’t mind me expressing my condolences for your loss, [your name].
- I may not know you well but I know that the loss of a loved one is never easy. My condolences for your loss.
- Though we may not know each other well please know that I share in your sorrow. My sincere sympathies for your loss.
- We may not be close friends but the pain of losing a loved one is universal. I understand how hard it is and offer my condolences, [your name].
How to Sign a Sympathy Thank You Card?
- Thank you for your thoughts during such a difficult time. Yours, [your name].
- It was touching to know you have been thinking of me. With love, [your name].
- We were very grateful to receive your card. It touched our hearts. Thank you, [your name].
- Receiving your kind words was a small light amongst the darkness. We really appreciated it. Love, [your name].
- Thank you again for sending such thoughtful words. Warmest regards, [your name].
Do you Say ‘With Sympathy’ or ‘In Sympathy’
The usual and more common way is to say ‘with sympathy ‘. But it’s acceptable to say ‘in sympathy’ and the recipient of your message or card will understand both.
What to Say in a Sympathy Card
If you’re not sure what to say in your sympathy card or how to offer some words of comfort then our example sympathy card messages and condolence messages should help.
And that’s it. Hopefully you now feel more comfortable with how to sign a condolence card as well as the etiquette around it and the example closings have helped with making your sympathy card and message just right.