Acknowledgement Notes

Acknowledgement Notes

Below are some general guidelines when acknowledging expressions of sympathy.
It is appropriate to send thank you cards within one-two weeks from the date of the service, as thanks for flowers, contributions, fruit baskets, food, and various other acts of kindness. The funeral home will provide you with acknowledgement (thank you) cards. Below are guidelines for what “should” and “should not” be acknowledged.

Letters & Emails

Phone Calls

It is not necessary to acknowledge, in writing, phone calls made by friends at home or to the funeral home, since some members of the family has usually acknowledged these persons. 

Online & Social Media Condolences

It is not necessary to acknowledge, in writing, online condolences. You may choose to respond to all at one time, thanking them for their kindness.  

Memorial Contributions & Flowers

These may be acknowledged with a few personal words written on the inside of the acknowledgement card.
Letters and emails from friends require a few written words. They can be written on the inside of your regular acknowledgement card. If the deceased was a prominent person or public official, the regular card without a note is sufficient.

Other Acts of Kindness

For other acts of kindness including pallbearers, or friends who offer their cars, childcare services, meals, a personal note may be written inside the regular acknowledgement card.  

For those that are out of town and were not able to attend services, you may wish to include a copy of the holy card or memorial folder inside their note.  

In the case of a family with married daughters, the cards are generally signed with the family name or the name of the deceased, if the head of the family (i.e. The Family of Joseph Smith)

Below are a few sample acknowledgement notes that you can use.

Thank you for all your kindness and the for the beautiful flowers that expressed your sympathy in our recent sorrow.
Our sorrow is easier to bear with the help of friends like you. We want you to know how much we appreciate all that you have done for us in our time of need.
Your help in our time of need was a great comfort to us. Thank you for your unfailing sympathy and kind assistance.
Your sympathy at this time is a comfort to us.

During a time like this, we realize how much our friends mean to us. We have lost someone very special, thank you for sharing our sorrow.
This time of deep sorrow was more bearable for us because of the kind assistance and support of friends like you. We sincerely appreciate all that you have done. 
Our sorrow at the loss of our (Father, Mother) is somewhat easier to bear because of your kindness.


Your sympathy in our recent loss will long be remembered. Thank you sincerely for all that you have done for us in our time of need.  
Thank you for the many ways in which you helped us during the loss of our (RELATIVE). We deeply appreciate your kindness.
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