Sympathy cards are one of the most difficult types of greeting cards to make for the simple reason that we never know quite exactly how to make them or exactly what to say. Because we are sending these cards to someone who is grieving, we want to make sure that we are very aware of their emotions when making this type of card. Let’s take a look at a few tips to help you design the perfect sympathy card for someone who is going through a rough time.
1) The Design
When it comes to sympathy cards the best thing to do is to keep it simple. An over-the-top design can overwhelm the person who is grieving and may not be the best idea. For this type of card you want the receiver to focus on the message, not the design. One of the most popular themes for sympathy card designs is flowers. Not only are they simple but they also offer a subtle color. If you do not want to make a sympathy card with flowers, try to stick to a basic color. It is okay to add a little bit of texture to your card, but once again try to keep it simple.
2) Color
When designing your own sympathy card, avoid bright colors such as turquoise or pink. Try to stick with dark or pale colors that represent mourning. The two most popular colors to represent sadness are purple and black. However, if you don’t want to use these as your base color it is okay to incorporate them into the design in other ways. Other popular colours are white, cream, soft yellows and pale greens.
3) Writing your Message
By far the most difficult part about making a handmade sympathy card is writing the message. When someone is grieving you never quite know the perfect thing to say. So where do you start? Begin by acknowledging their loss by saying something such as, “I was deeply saddened to hear of Jake’s passing”. Then, extend your condolences. One thing that many people question is whether it is okay to mention an illness in their message. If the individual who passed has been suffering for a great deal of time, it is not at all unacceptable to acknowledge their suffering.
Is it okay to share personal stories? Absolutely. If you have a great memory to share, feel free to share it. Not only will this let the recipient know how much you care about their loved one, but funny or happy stories may also be enough to put a smile on their face.
Finish your message by offering assistance to the family in a time of need. Close using a short statement such as “my deepest sympathies” or “you are always in my thoughts”.
Creating your own sympathy cards is not always easy to do. Many people do not know what to say to someone who’s grieving. Keep your card simple and speak from the heart. Never be afraid to offer the special memory that you have had with the deceased and let the receiver know how much you care about them and their family.