Make a note of gratitude Following a Funeral – The last thing you may want to do after the loss of a loved one is to worry about etiquette. But in times of loss and adversity, it’s crucial to recognize the generosity of others. A brief, straightforward thank you note is not only polite, but also a considerate way to express your gratitude for those who contributed to your late loved one’s life.
Part 1 of 2: Selecting the Right Words
1 Express yourself honestly.
Speak truthfully. Tell the person how much it meant to you that they supported you when you needed them and how much it meant to you that they helped in any way. Your thank-you notes can be written in a variety of ways, all of which are dependent on what the recipient accomplished for you and your loved ones. You might just write two phrases to express your gratitude for their thoughts of you during this difficult time in your life and to let them know how much it meant to you.
Feel free to include a personal anecdote or tale from the deceased’s life, if you share one with whomever you are thanking, especially if you are really close to the person you are thanking. Although adding a personal touch to your thank-you notes is always welcome, you shouldn’t feel pressured to do so.
2 Be precise.
Be precise. Mention explicitly what the individual or group you are thanking did after your loved one died away in your thank you notes. Tell them what you’re grateful for and how much their thoughtfulness meant to you, whether it was a meal, flowers, or a donation made in their memory.
Write a basic opening to your thank you note before getting more particular. For instance, broad statements like “Thank you for your generosity at this difficult time” or “Our family appreciates your support during this tough time” are good places to start.
Then you can elaborate on how they directly assisted you. If someone sent a dinner, for instance, you might say something like, “Thank you for your kindness.” “The supper you provided us was fantastic since it removed one concern from my mind. We were quite grateful for that.” It’s important to express gratitude for their particular contribution.
3 Steer clear of giving precise financial figures.
Don’t reveal exact dollar amounts. If someone donated money in remembrance of a loved one, thank them for their gift but omit to specify the amount in your letter of appreciation. Simply express your gratitude for their kindness in paying tribute to your departed loved one.
For a monetary donation, appropriate language would be “We appreciate your kindness during this difficult time. We are very grateful for the donation made in [deceased’s name’s] honor.” By doing this, you can express your gratitude without mentioning how much they contributed.
4 Resist the urge to take extensive, in-depth notes.
Don’t feel compelled to take extensive, in-depth notes. You only need two or three sentences to express your gratitude. Sending personal thank-you notes to each recipient shows how grateful you are just by taking the time to do so. Feel free to express your gratitude in a few sentences rather than several.
You can either sign your name or “Family of [Deceased’s Name]” on the notes.
Part 2 of 2: Sending the Notes
1 Make an effort to mail them within two weeks.
To send them, try to do so within two weeks. You must send thank you cards within two weeks after the funeral, per general etiquette standards. Don’t worry if it takes longer to send the notes out; your friends and family are aware of your grief. Better than not sending a thank you note at all is sending one late.
2 Ask for assistance if you need it.
Ask for assistance if you need it. Don’t be afraid to seek those close to you for assistance if the idea of saying thank you to dozens of individuals when a loved one passes away feels overwhelming. Delegate responsibilities to close friends or family members, even if it just involves having someone go to the post office to get you stamps or envelopes.
3 Keep in mind that sending thank-you cards is not required.
Keep in mind that sending thank-you notes is not required. Finally, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t write any thank-you cards. Even though they are an important part of good manners, while we are grieving, etiquette can sometimes take a backseat to our grief. Don’t punish yourself for not finishing the thank you notes if you find it difficult to do so emotionally.