If you need to send a note of sympathy to a bereaved family, it is good to know that you can do this in a number of ways. Funeral cards can be given with flowers or by themselves. In this digital age, it is not uncommon to send a letter of sympathy via email.
You can get notes at your local stores or you can pen your own. A simple letter becomes more special when it is handwritten. If your handwriting is illegible, consider buying a commercially printed version. You just need to sign it and mail it right away to get to the bereaved family at an appropriate time.
In most cultures, it is expected that grieving friends and relatives send letters of sympathy. They can be sent if you attend the memorial service or not. It is essential to do so if you cannot go to the deceased person's interment. It is acceptable to mail the note after or prior to the burial.
The bereaved family on the other hand would usually send a note of thanks to those who attended the memorial service or sent a letter of sympathy. Typically someone in the family of the deceased will eventually send thank you messages after the burial. This can happen 1 to 4 weeks after the interment.
You may also send a basket of flowers with a sympathy note during the wake. Make sure you chose appropriate blossoms that are traditionally given for interments. There are several species you can choose from. Consult with a flower delivery company and have them send it on time with a note from you.
Ready-made funeral cards can be found at bookstores and online. Read the content first before buying one to make sure that the message is in line with what you want to say. You can certainly add a short handwritten note in it to make it more personal.
