When you’ve lost a loved one you will most likely receive lots of messages of condolences from friends, family and more. But after the funeral or some time has passed you may start thinking about thanking those who offered those condolences.
What you say to those who sent their sympathy or write in a condolence thank you note may be proving difficult though. It can be hard to find the words to properly say thank you for the love and support you received.
Being able to fully express how grateful you were for any help and how much it meant knowing your loved ones were thinking of you is really important. But it’s also very challenging.
So use these example sympathy thank you notes and messages if you’re struggling with letting people know just how much you appreciated all they did for you throughout a truly difficult time.
Should you Say Thank You for Condolences?
If you don’t want to or don’t feel able to then you shouldn’t, and most people will understand why. But if you want to then the best way to respond to in-person condolences is with a simple “thank you”. Acknowledging they have offered their sympathy and said sorry for your loss will be enough.
When saying thank you for a sympathy card or flowers then you can send a note with a few words of thanks. Again depending on how you feel you can choose how much to write or include. Just “thanks” or “thank you for your condolences” is good enough but you can write more if you want to.
For the types of things to say in a thank you message see the examples below.
What to Say in a Sympathy Thank You Note
If you’d like to write your own sympathy thank you note, rather than using the examples below, then you can follow these steps:
- Begin by greeting whoever your note is for with their name – “Dear ______”
- Say thank you for however they expressed their condolences, be that in person, via a card, gift, email etc. – “Thank you for the kind words in the card you sent.”
- Mention how or why it meant so much to you – “It is nice to know people are thinking of me throughout this difficult period. The support really makes a difference.”
- Finish your note with a warm closing and sign your name – “Thank you again. With lots of love ______”
Condolence Thank You Notes to Family
If family members have reached out to offer their condolences and support then say thank you to them with these messages.
- Thank you for taking the time to reach out with your condolences. It’s so important to have family around for support during moments like this.
- The loss of my dad really hit me hard but it was family who were there to pick me up. Thank you for always being there when I really need it. There is nothing like having a supportive family.
- Thank you for your support during our time of loss. Your kind and thoughtful messages were warmly received and showed just how important family is.
- You were the first to get in touch after losing my mom and that really meant the world to me. I feel lucky to have family who are there for me when times are hard. Thank you.
- I was touched by the sympathy and the card you sent. Family is what matters most during these moments and I am so grateful to have family like you.
- Your condolences and prayers were much appreciated. Thank you for thinking of me and making sure I was coping.
- It was a real comfort to have the note and gift you sent as well as your checking in to see how I was doing. I found it hard at the time to express how much it helped but I wanted to say now that I’m not sure how I’d have got by without you. Thank you so much.
- When I was struggling it was family who came to my side. You rallied round and the way you helped me, both through words and actions, made all the difference. It’s all well and good sending condolences but you backed up every word. Thank you.
READ MORE: Example Funeral Thank You Notes
Sympathy Thank You Notes to Friends
Friends are usually there for you during the hardest times. If your friends have shown their sympathy and been a real support as you’ve grieved then these thank you messages and notes will help show your appreciation.
- I really appreciated your support during such a difficult time. Your words of condolence were lovely and helped me remember I had so many friends around me when I needed them most.
- Thank you for the lovely card and gift basket you sent. It was wonderful to hear from a friend when I was struggling with the grief. It really meant a lot to me.
- Your kind words did not go unnoticed. I was really feeling down so receiving such lovely messages of sympathy was the boost I needed. Thanks for being such a great friend.
- I know how busy you are so to receive your warm words and condolences was a very welcome surprise. Thank you for always thinking of me.
- I don’t know how to thank you enough for everything you did after I lost a loved one. It wasn’t just your kind words that offered me hope but the way you constantly checked up on me and made sure I was coping. I’m lucky to have a friend as true as you. Thank you.
- When I felt like all hope was gone you were there to offer me light amongst the darkness. To you it might only have been a few words and offer of condolences but to me it meant so much. Thank you for being an amazing friend.
- My family and I are truly grateful for the support we received from you. Going through such a tough time brought out the best in our friends and we feel so lucky that you were there.
- Your beautiful words offered comfort to us as we dealt with a harrowing loss. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
READ MORE: A Guide to Responding to Condolences
Sympathy Thank You Notes to Coworkers
Coworkers aren’t as close as other people you know but they may still offer some words of sympathy when you’ve experienced a loss. Say thanks with these note examples.
- It was very touching to receive your card and flowers after I lost my mom. You didn’t have to but it was a very sweet gesture. Thank you, as I mourned it was comforting to know even my colleagues were thinking of me.
- I am fortunate to have coworkers like yourself who go out of there way to offer comfort and hope to those in need of if. Whilst dealing with my grief your support was a real lifeline for me. I can’t express my thanks enough.
- During a time of such sorrow your comforting words were so welcome. Thank you for all you did and thinking of me.
- I was moved deeply by the effort everyone at work had gone to by sending such a lovely card and gift. You’re more than coworkers to me, you’re real friends. Thank you.
- Thank you for the support and the sympathy you’ve shown during this extremely difficult time for me and my family. I didn’t expect such kindness from a colleague but it is really appreciated.
- Knowing that everyone at work has been thinking of me provided a welcome bit of hope whilst I struggled with the grief. It really did mean so much to me so I wanted to thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
- I appreciate all the messages of love and support I received from so many of you at the office. I was very touched and they genuinely helped make me feel better as I mourned. My thanks to everyone.
- Thank you for the way you offered your support and condolences after I lost someone I cared about so much. It means a lot when you’re really struggling and feeling so lost to know there are people thinking of you.
READ MORE: 12 Example Funeral Thank You Notes for Money
Saying Thank You for Condolences on Facebook
A good way to thank lots of people is on Facebook. It may be as a status or direct message but these examples should let you offer your thanks to lots of people on Facebook.
- Thank you to everyone who sent messages of support and condolences. I can’t thank you each individually but please know that every word has meant a lot to me.
- Huge thanks to the kind words I’ve received from so many people. It’s been really hard but the support of everyone has helped so much.
- Thank you for your condolences and sympathy. It’s hard but I’m getting there.
- I really appreciate the lovely messages I’ve received. They have comforted when I’ve felt the most overwhelmed. Thank you.
- I know so many of you have been praying for me and I wanted to say how much it has meant. Thank you and please know how much I appreciate it.
- Thanks for the support and condolences. I’m sorry if I’ve been a bit quiet but I’m just taking some time to deal with it all. But I’m reading every message and am grateful for every single one.
- Thank you for being there for me throughout this really tragic time. Your messages have offered me hope and comfort. I’m really grateful.
- I’m sorry I haven’t been my able to thank everyone but I am reading and treasuring every message that is sent. Thank you so much.
READ MORE: Facebook Condolence Messages
Hopefully these thank you notes for condolences have helped you to find the perfect words to thank the people who have been there for you after a loss. Whilst you shouldn’t feel pressured to say thanks until you’re ready it’s nice to thank someone who has made the effort to offer their sympathy.