When someone you know experiences a death in the family, it's kind to reach out and offer condolences with a sympathy card. But it can feel difficult to know how to sign a sympathy card. Our advice and examples can help you get the words just right so you can share your condolences.
How to Sign a Sympathy Card
Whether you write a personalized note or simply sign your name, it can be a challenge to strike the right tone when signing a sympathy card. Signing "sincerely" may sound a little dry, but "love" may sound over the top if you're not that close. These are some things to write just before you sign your name.
- Yours truly
- Thinking of you
- In sympathy
- With deepest sympathy
- I'm thinking of you
- You're in my prayers
- With our deepest condolences
- You're in our prayers
- In remembrance
- Kindest regards
- With warm regards
- With caring thoughts
- Our thoughts are with you
- You're in our hearts
- In caring sympathy
- Praying for peace and comfort
- With love and comfort
- In God's love
- Kind wishes
- Wishing you peace
- Wishing you grace
- Wishing you comfort
- With wishes for comfort during this time
- With fond memories
Can You Sign a Sympathy Card With Sincerely?
You can absolutely sign off a sympathy card with 'Sincerely.' It's a formal, less intimate sign-off, so just make sure this is appropriate, given your relationship with the card recipient.
How to Sign Names on the Sympathy Card
Names should always be handwritten, but how you sign depends on who the card is from. This isn't necessarily a time when everyone signs their name — like in a birthday card or another celebratory card — but it can be if that feels appropriate. Generally, one person signs on behalf of all the people who are sending their wishes.
Sign a Sympathy Card From a Single Person
All you need to do is use an appropriate closing phrase and sign your name. If you're a very close friend or family member, your first name will probably suffice. But if you're not as close, sign your first and last name.
Sign a Sympathy Card From a Couple
One person in the couple will typically sign for both partners. Again, determine how close you are. If you're very close, you can sign your first names only, such as Bob & Carol. If you're not as close, sign your first and last names, such as Bob & Carol Jones. If you have separate last names, list your names as first and last for each — so Brandon Smith & James VanPatten.
Sign a Sympathy Card From a Family
If you are signing for the whole family, the closeness of the relationship matters, too. So if you are close, you can sign everyone's first names with parents first, such as Dan, Steve, and Kayley. If you aren't as close, sign the name of your family and then each person's individual name. Such as, The Brown-Appleby Family, Jane, Judy, Lexie, and Alyssa.
How to Sign a Sympathy Card From Multiple Families
If you're signing from multiple families, simply use the family names. Some examples:
- The Bob & Carol Jones Family and the Brown-Abbleby Family
- The Jones, Smith, and Creighton Families
Sign a Sympathy Card From an Organization
Sign the name of the organization. For instance:
- The staff and members of the First Congregational Church of Seattle
- The lawyers and staff at Anderson & Anderson, LLC
- The students, teachers, and staff of Happy Valley Elementary School
- Your church family at St. James Episcopal Church
- Your colleagues at LoveToKnow
- Your Mommy & Me Playgroup, Regina, Cynthia, Sutton, and Alicia
Coming Up With Words to Sign a Sympathy Card
While it may seem like a minor detail when writing a sympathy card, your sign-off message can hold just as much meaning as the actual content of your sympathy card. If you are writing a slightly longer message than a simple sign-off, these tips can help.
- Before you write your signature, reflect on your relationship with the person you're sending the card to.
- Your message should reflect the intimacy of the relationship you have with the card recipient.
- Sign-offs may be brief or lengthier, depending on your personal style.
- Avoid any religious sign-offs unless you are certain that the recipient would appreciate them and share similar religious views.
Examples of Things to Write in a Sympathy Card
Sympathy card signature examples can help you determine which sign-off may work best for you, given your specific situation.
Examples of Sympathy Card Messages From a Business
Sending a sympathy card is a thoughtful business practice. Sign-off message examples may help you strike the right tone.
- We're grateful to have you as a member of the (insert business name) team and are here for you during this difficult time. With our deepest condolences, (signature)
- We are saddened to hear of the loss of your (insert relationship). We are thinking of you, (signature)
- We are so sorry to hear about your recent loss. With caring thoughts, (signature)
- You are in our thoughts during this time. In caring sympathy, (signature)
- We want to offer our deepest condolences during this time. You are in our thoughts, (signature)
Sympathy Card Message Examples for a Coworker
If you are sending a coworker a sympathy card, sign-off message examples include:
- I am saddened to hear about the loss of your (insert relationship). I'm thinking of you, (signature)
- I am here for you during this time for anything you may need. You are in my thoughts, (signature)
- I am so sorry about your recent loss. With caring condolences, (signature)
- Please let me know what you need during this time. I'm here for you, (signature)
- Know that you can lean on me during this time, (signature)
Sympathy Card Message Examples for a Client
If you are sending your client a sympathy card, you can still include a short message as you sign off.
- I am so sorry to hear about your recent loss. Thinking of you and your family during this time, (signature)
- Thinking of you and yours during this time. We are here for you, (signature)
- Please accept our deepest condolences during this time. You are in our thoughts, (signature)
- Thinking of you during this time. Please let us know if we can do anything. With warm regards, (signature)
- I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your (insert relationship). With sympathy, (signature)
Message Examples From a Family
These examples from a family include heartfelt messages of peace and comfort.
- From our family to yours, know that we are here for you. With all our love and support, (signature)
- We love you so much and are here for you during this time. Sending lots of love, (signature)
- Know that we are thinking of you and would like to support you in any way you'd like. Sending you a big hug, (signature)
- As a family, we are so beyond saddened to hear of the loss of your (insert relationship). Know that we've got your back and love you so much. Love you and are here for you, (signature)
- We will always remember and honor the time we spent with (insert deceased individual's name). We love you and want to help out in any way possible. Thinking of you always, (signature)
Examples of Messages From a Group of Coworkers
If someone in your department is recently bereaved, then these sign-off examples can help.
- Know that your work family is here to support you. Sending our deepest condolences, (signature)
- We were saddened to hear of your recent loss and are here for you. You are in our thoughts, (signature)
- You are a valued member of our team, and we are here to support you during this time. Thinking of you, (signature)
- We support you as you process this loss and are here for you. With our sincerest sympathy, (signature)
- Know that we are all here for you and would like to help in any way you'd like. Sending our warmest regards, (signature)
What Should You Say in a Sympathy Card?
In a sympathy card, you have a chance to express your condolences, provide support, and offer comforting words to the individual(s) who lost a loved one. Sympathy cards are a thoughtful way to show someone that you are thinking of them during this difficult time. If you're having a hard time coming up with what to say, you can read some condolence letter examples to use as a template.
Sending Thank You Notes for Sympathy Cards
If you have recently lost someone and received sympathy cards, you may want to reach out and thank people for sending their love and wishes. These are some things you can write in your thank you notes.
- Thank you for thinking of me during this painful time. With love, (signature)
- We so appreciate the gesture of reaching out during this difficult time for our family. From our hearts, (signature)
- Your kindness has touched our hearts. With our warmest regards, (signature)
- I am grateful to have a supportive friend, especially during such a difficult time. With much appreciation, (signature)
- Your sympathy card meant so much to us. Thanks for sending your love, (signature)
Signing a Heartfelt Sympathy Card
Take your time when figuring out how to sign the sympathy card you're writing. Consider your level of intimacy within the relationship so you can pick an appropriate signature for your sympathy card.
