Thursday, May 20, 2010

Thank you cards after a funeral?

I'm sending thank you cards for people who came to the funeral and those who sent flowers for my dad's recent funeral.





Question is should I send a thank you card for people who sent me condolences cards too?





I'm a doctor in a small town so I got hundreds of cards and I don't know if I have the time.





But they are my patients and I feel like I should send them a card.





I guess I'll just have to take the time to do it, so I'm not sure why I'm even asking the question.





What do you think?

Thank you cards after a funeral?
Yes, if they show respect to your father and yourself why don't you send some respect back
Reply:Usually thank- yous are sent for flowers or a donation, not for cards or one's presence. There are printed general appreciation thank-yous for sympathy expressly that purpose at stationery stores or I have also seen cards printed specifically such as John Smith, M.D. expresses his deep gratitude for your kind expression of sympathy in the death of his father........... I think you can get those online also and have them sent to you. Then someone could address them, No one expects personal notes especially from someone in your noble profession.
Reply:Sorry about your dad. Hope you are all right and hugs.





Personally, I did not send cards to people who came to the funeral or ones that just sent cond. cards only. Just think about it: Usually you don't thank people for coming to your dad's funeral. They paid their respects.





I did send Thank You cards to people who gave me $ with cards, or sent me flowers or paid for Holy Masses. If they gave you a gift of some sort, then yes, by all means send a Thank You. God bless.
Reply:Thank yous are not necessary for a condolence card. Unless it had money in it. Then that deserves a thank you. And flowers, gifts, food, donations, and anybody who's gone out of their way to help you.





I'm very sorry to hear about your loss.
Reply:When my dad died, I sent thank you cards to those people who sent flowers and memorial contributions to charities. When my mom died a few years earlier, we received casseroles and other food items from neighbors, and that was a gesture which was greatly appreciated. In that instance, we sent a card of thanks.





We did not send cards to people who wrote sympathy cards or to those who attended the funeral or viewing.





My recommendation to you is to send only to those who sent flowers, memorial contributions to charities, and to those who sent food items [casseroles, cakes, pies, cookies, etc. to the family home].
Reply:send a thank-you for flowers food donations etc...





no need to sen a thank-you for a card
Reply:I don't think that you really need to do that at all.


The only acknowledgement of a remembrance I have ever received was a note from the charity that was recommended in lieu of flowers. Other than that, I think that it is not customary at least not around here.
Reply:i dont think its very nessacary at all. when people send flowers they know that it was appreciated.
Reply:I would say you don't have to send thank you cards for just a sympathy card. I would sent thank yous for cards that contained money, flowers, food, errands, etc.





I will make a suggestion, but I don't know if it would be considered tacky or not.





You could compose a general letter thanking everyone for their kindness: cards, words of comfort, etc.You could say that you received a large volume of cards and condolences and the form letter was the best, most efficient way to send the notes. Then, at the end of the letter write a brief note: "Betty, thanks for the card. It meant a lot to me."





Then, you could sent them off to all those who sent you cards.


In a way it's still sending a thank you note but it will be a form letter.





I've seen notices in my local paper from families who acknowledged notes, cards, etc. They are usually printed along with the current obits.





I'm sorry for your loss.
Reply:If someone did something nice for you...... sending flowers, or a dish of food, or something thoughtful, then you should send a card.


I personally don't think you necessarily need to send cards for those who just sent a card to you.
Reply:A thank you would be thoughtful but don't word it like its a baby shower gift or birthday gift. maybe something like: Your thoughtfullness is appreciated. Well, something like that. its a good idea i think.
Reply:Personally I would send a card to those who sent things, where particular close to your dad, and if you feel like you should, those that came to his funeral, as for everyone else, i don't think they would be expecting anything back, i know i wouldn't, but since you feel you should acknowledge it in some way, could you have a thank you message put in a local paper?, or the main notice board of the town?, also you could put up a thank you notice in your surgery saying you were sincerely overwhelmed by the love and thoughts expressed in there hundreds and how it is greatly appreciated. You have had a major loss, people will not be expecting thank you's. As you see your patients again the subject is bound to come up so you can thank people then too.
Reply:Thank you cards are sent for any types of "gifts" received such as money, flowers, or food. You do not send cards for receiving cards.





Since you live in a small town the usual custom is to write a general thank you note in the local paper like the following:





I would like to thank everyone for their support during my time of need. All the cards and visits were appreciated and helped to ease my pain. I feel lucky to have so%26amp;so in my life and to know that others cared for him/her too. Your kindness has given me strength to make it through this difficult time.
Reply:It really isn't necessary to send a thank you card to everyone who sent a sympathy card or even attended the funeral. You should send thank yous to those who sent flowers, made donations in your father's memory, brought food to the house, or particularly went out of their way.





You might consider sending a letter to your local newspaper in which you could thank the community-at-large, and your patients and friends in particular, for their showing of sympathy at your time of loss. Sometimes they will run such letters with the obits or with the letters to the editor.


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