Sending thank you notes after a funeral is a traditional part of funeral etiquette, and it is a kind way to communicate that you appreciate your fellow mourners. You can send any type of thank you notes to express your gratitude for helping plan the funeral, attending the funeral, sending flowers or offering emotional support.
Thank You for Attending the Funeral Wording
Some people choose to send thank you notes to everyone who attended the funeral while others send notes only to those who traveled far or made a big effort to get to the funeral. Wording for this type of funeral thank you note should express how important the person's presence at the funeral was for the deceased and for you.
Thank You Notes After Funeral to Family Members
If you are sending thank you for attending the funeral notes to family members, you could include more personal information.
- Our entire family appreciates your time and sacrifice. We know it wasn't easy for you to get to the funeral, but we're glad you made it a priority.
- It meant a great deal to me and Mom that you came to the funeral. Thanks for being with us.
- Your presence at the funeral was a great comfort to me.
- Your participation and service in the funeral was such a blessing.
- I can't thank you enough for spending so much time with us at the funeral home. Your presence made it feel more comfortable.
Thank You Notes After Funeral to Coworkers
Thank you note wording for coworkers who attended a funeral can be more general.
- It was good to see you at my dad's funeral, even under the adverse circumstances.
- Thank you for honoring me and my grandma by attending her funeral. I was pleased to see you.
- We may not know each other well, but your presence at my brother's funeral showed me how lucky I am to work with someone as thoughtful as you.
- It filled my heart to have my work family join my home family at my husband's funeral. Thank you for coming.
Thank You for Helping With the Funeral Messages
Anyone who helped plan, arrange, and host the funeral can be thanked for their specific services.
- Thank you for taking the time to help me plan the funeral. I couldn't have done it without you.
- Your help in directing guests at the funeral took a lot of pressure off me. I really appreciate you volunteering.
- I am so grateful to you for bringing a dish to share after the funeral. This display of community care was beyond expectation.
- Thank you for making this process a little easier for me by helping to arrange the funeral.
Thank You for the Funeral Donation Messages
From cash donations to gifts of food and meals, you can thank others for funeral gifts and donations with a few kind words.
- Thank you for being thoughtful and bringing me a delicious dinner after the funeral. It warmed my heart as much as my stomach.
- The money you donated toward the funeral costs truly alleviated some of my burden. I can never thank you enough for your generosity.
- I am beyond grateful to you for donating the funeral programs. You have given all you grieve a beautiful keepsake.
- Your donation of the church space for the funeral is greatly appreciated.
What to Write in a Sympathy Thank You Card
Some people choose to send thank you for your sympathy cards. You may be able to find thank you cards at stationery stores, or you can order thank you cards specific to a funeral online. In this modern age, it is not unheard of for a person to send their message of thanks as an e-card.
Original Thank You Messages for Sympathy Thank You Cards
This type of thank you card is all about letting someone know how much you appreciate their condolences or sympathy.
- Thank you for your support and thoughtful words in this difficult time. I enjoyed our conversation.
- Your condolences reached me in a moment of despair and lifted me. Thank you for your sympathy.
- I appreciate your sympathy during this difficult time.
- Thank you for thinking of me and reaching out after the funeral.
- Your thoughts and prayers have surely helped me grieve this loss. Thank you.
Popular Types of Messages for Sympathy Thank You Cards
Bereavement verses are often used in condolence letters and cards given to the mourners. You can include special verses, including funeral poems, Bible scripture and other prose to convey your support to those you want to thank. This is especially important when sending a note to a dear friend of the deceased or loved one to whom he shared a connection.
Thank You Notes for Flowers
If you look at examples of thank you notes for flowers, you'll see the message is dictated by your relationship to the sender. Thank you notes for flowers can incorporate other messages of thanks. You can even let the sender know what you did with the flowers after the funeral, especially if you made them into a keepsake or donated them to a charity.
What to Include in Any Funeral Thank You Note
When sending a note of thanks, it can at times be difficult to express your feelings in a way that truly justifies them. In your note, it is important to mention specifically what you are actually thanking the individual for. To personalize your thanks in this way, not only adds a greater sentiment to the act, but it also adds to the recipient's feeling that they have supported you through a difficult experience.
Funeral Thank You Note Etiquette Tips
Sending thank you notes after a death is a gesture that can mean so much, not only to the person sending the notes but also to the recipients. The time immediately following a funeral is a time for calm and reflection, and not everyone feels organized enough to contemplate the organization of passing on thanks.
- It is nice, but not necessary, to send a thank you note to each person who attends the funeral.
- Always send thank you notes to those who sent flowers, gifts or donations.
- Try to send thank you notes to those who prepared a meal, ran an errand or offered support in your time of need.
- Consider sending thank you notes to anyone who spoke at or helped with the funeral.
- Putting pen to paper to write a personal thank you card may seem like a chore to most individuals. However, there are healing benefits to sending a thank you card or letter.
- Try to send thank you notes within two weeks after the funeral.
- It's okay to ask a close friend or family member to help you write these notes.
- If you're not feeling up to sending cards within two weeks, it's better to send them late than not at all.
Sending Your Thanks
Acknowledging your appreciation of others is therapeutic for you and the person receiving your words, and may help reinforce bonds of friendship and reciprocate feelings of support. In addition, as you consider what to say in your note, you will revisit the positive responses of friends and family and affirm their efforts to comfort you and others while also paying their respects to the deceased.
