It may seem insignificant or outdated to write a sympathy card to someone who is grieving, however sympathy cards are one of the most powerful ways to show someone how much you care. Through the years it has been common practice to write sympathy cards to the family and friends of someone we know when they pass away. They continue to send a powerful and encouraging message serving as a reminder of love in the midst of loss. Writing a sympathy letter can be a difficult task. Everyone grieves differently and finding words to comfort a loss can seem impossible. Some things people may find offensive, while others find them comforting. These questions should not hold you back from writing a sympathy card. When struggling through loss one may feel like they are alone, these sympathy letters are an encouraging reminder that this is not the case. As cards flood in, the recipient will be reminded of the support and love that is there for them. Commonly, sympathy letters are written shortly after someone has passed, the recipient is flooded with letters and support at the beginning however, as time goes on letters stop and the individual in grief may begin to feel alone once again. A great way to offer continued support through this time is spacing out your sympathy card. Try sending a few follow up letters after some time has passed. A good example is to send a follow up six months after the loss checking in on the person. Tell them you are thinking, praying, and there for them. Send another letter one year after the loss as well. As time goes on people move on. The grieving individual may still be struggling years later, even after many people have moved on in their lives. Depending on the severity of the loss it may be good to send a letter on a yearly basis. Offer encouragement and remind the person that you are thinking of them and the individual who has passed. There are many do’s and don'ts to writing a sympathy card, for instance always hand write your letter and mail it physically. This makes the letter much more personal and has a larger impact on the individual. Try and avoid purchasing memorial cards with pre printed phrases. Instead, write them out yourself and come up with an original letter for the person grieving. Here is a great resource for writing a sympathy letter that can get you started. Additional resources can be found online as well. Overall, writing a sympathy letter is an encouraging reminder of the support and love that is there for someone who has experienced loss. It is a subtle and appropriate method to express your condolences to someone who is grieving and can make a world of difference in the healing process to a grieving individual.