When sending business sympathy cards you need to think simple but elegant, and design #316AY, Graceful Sympathy Card, is an appropriate fit. You shouldn’t send a card that is too colorful and busy. After all, we know it is a very difficult time for your friend or co-worker. This design is printed on cream colored stock on recycled paper. It is a beautiful card, with a large blue butterfly poised on an intertwining vine with small pale green leaves. The butterfly appears to be ready for flight. You can almost picture yourself sitting alone in a small park thinking about the past and wondering about the future. Your recipient will find this card very comforting and soothing.

Design #316AY - Graceful Sympathy Card

Business sympathy cards are one of the hardest cards to send. Design #098AY, Sympathy Water Lilies Card, can help make this process easier. You want to let your recipient know how much you feel for his or her loss and that they are in your thoughts, but you have to make sure you do this in a very gentle way…and this card is very gentle. It is done on a cream colored stock with two white pearlized water lilies perched on light green lily pads.

Design #098AY - Sympathy Water Lilies
Greeting Card

This is a very reflective design. How many times have you sat by the edge of the water and stared out thinking of past memories, good and precious times you shared with your loved ones, and maybe wishing you could still have them here to create even more memories. This is the type of card that can make you feel inspired.

Either one of these sympathy cards would be appropriate to send and very much appreciated.

It would be difficult to find practical instructions in any etiquette book for choosing and sending business sympathy cards. When a close personal friend loses a loved one, or when someone we have personally known dies and we want to reach out to that person’s grieving family, we act on instinct. For these personal expressions of sympathy, we phone and we visit, and we are often used to making a special trip to personally pick out a suitable sympathy card. Or, perhaps we write a personal note of some length. Or, maybe we just go directly to sending a floral arrangement or fruit basket.

When selecting business sympathy cards, however, we are preparing ahead of time to offer condolences to and about a variety of people with whom we may have only a passing acquaintance. We are also making a selection that will reflect upon our company and the many differing people affiliated with our company. And yet, the very reason for sending a card lets us know that a brusque, business-like style would be inappropriate for the situation.

What to do?! I suggest consideration of one of the two sympathy cards I’m about to mention. Both are of a very dignified size and quality. Both designs reflect simplicity and gentility, which are soothing elements in the expression of condolences.

Design #341AR, Sympathy Lilies Card, strikes a sensitive balance between formality and gentleness. Its embossed framing leaves a clean white margin. The hint of soft lavender in the frame is also used to add three-dimensional shadowing to the lilies. The graceful curling petals and leaves are deeply sculpted for, not only visual depth, but a tactile sense of comfort. The natural shades of green and muted yellow, with coral-colored anther on the stamen, provide an easy focus for weary eyes.

Design #341AR - Sympathy Lilies Card

A tad more formal, design #376AY, In Sympathy Card, is softened with a flowing gold foil script. Set on creamy ecru matte-finish card stock, it has a subtly embossed fine double framing. A muted contrast of marbleized pearl rectangle backs the facial script, for a sense of greater depth. This is a very correct and dignified representation for your company’s expression of sympathy to business associates or clients.

Design #376AY - In Sympathy Card

In either design, your use of a simple verse that is not overdone or presumptuous, with your company name clearly imprinted below the verse, will be entirely proper and welcome. A handwritten salutation or very brief note and/or single personal signature will warm your sentiments when the situation seems appropriate.

Has anyone ever sent out sympathy cards to the family of a celebrity or some other famous person’s family after hearing of a death of someone prominent? With the deaths recently – on successive days – of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson, I began to wonder how many of their fans might take it upon themselves to grab some sympathy cards and send them out to the celebrities’ grieving families. More than likely, there are probably quite a few.

As Johnny Carson’s sidekick for over 30 years, Ed McMahon came into our homes on a daily basis…remember the show Who Do You Trust, and of course, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, where we knew him as that guffawing sidekick who made Johnny look so good. Later, after Jay Leno took over the show, Ed went on to host several popular programs, helped out Jerry Lewis each year on the Labor Day telethon, and even became a pitchman for Publishers Clearinghouse. The thing about Ed was, you could trust him…at least I did.

As for Farrah Fawcett, was there anyone from the 1970s who was more beautiful? (My personal choice would be her Charlie’s Angels replacement, Cheryl Ladd, but that’s another argument altogether.) Anyway, Farrah’s poster showing her great smile while wearing a sexy, one-piece bathing suit was what helped catapult her to super-stardom. She went on to become a very good actress and was always considered a respectful member of the show business community by the way she carried herself and the seriousness as to how she viewed her craft.

Michael Jackson’s existence was filled with contradictions. He was hugely talented at age 10 as the lead singer with his brothers in the Jackson 5, and became the biggest star in the world during the 1980s and 1990s with the albums “Thriller” and “Bad.” His benevolence and immense amount of charitable work and generosity added to his status as a pop icon. Unfortunately, his sometimes bizarre behavior, his idiosyncrasies, as well as allegations of child molestation put a damper on how he was viewed in later years.

All three deaths are sad, regardless of whether they were anticipated – either because of a lingering illness at an old age, a long battle with a deadly cancer, or in Jackson’s case, a death heard about from a special report on the news (or not). These people all perhaps had mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and sons and daughters who cared about them and are feeling a great loss after their loved one’s death. Deciding to help make someone who is grieving feel better by reaching out with sympathy cards is a wonderful thing to do.

I have sent many sympathy cards, too many as far as I am concerned, but that is a part of life. Each time I sit down to convey my condolences I get stumped, so I let a nicely imprinted sympathy card help so that my message can be short. When composing your message, keep in mind that less is more. A brief phrase like “Our thoughts and prayers are with you” or “Our deepest sympathies” is enough for now. A few weeks after the funeral, sending thinking of you cards is appropriate. At that time you can write about a fond memory of the deceased or how much they meant to you.

Unfortunately, I have also been the recipient of many sympathy cards so I know first hand that they are welcomed and appreciated. When a loved one is acknowledged in death, the survivors learn how much that person was liked and how well they were thought of during their time with us. Receiving company sympathy cards for the deceased is especially heart warming as most of the deceased’s time was probably spent at work. When sending business sympathy cards to your co-workers Emily Post writes:

There is no set formula as to what to say. Only one rule should guide you in writing letters of condolence: Say what you truly feel. Your clear expression of sympathy and caring for your co-worker is what matters the most. Sit down at your desk as soon as you hear of the death and let your thoughts be with your coworker as you write.

Suffering the loss of a loved one is devastating and each of us grieves that loss in our own way. However, when that loss affects a dear friend or business colleague, you want to reach out and just let them know they are in your thoughts. Sending business sympathy cards is the ideal way to do that without being invasive. It doesn’t intrude on a very private time, yet sends the message that someone shares their pain.

Having an elegant, classic assortment box of sympathy cards on hand, appropriate for personal or business use, would be ideal. Just as perfect as they are with a simple, heartfelt sentiment, there is also enough room for a personalized note, lending a warm, heartfelt touch. Sometimes just knowing others are remembering you at such a difficult time helps the pain a bit.

Over the years I have sent many sympathy cards to family, friends and colleagues as well as business sympathy cards to acquaintances at work. I’ve never really given much thought to how these greeting cards are received or the words that are expressed inside of them. That is until I was on the receiving end; Two years ago I lost my husband of thirty-two years very suddenly.

After the shock of that experience wore off, I had the opportunity to go through all the greeting cards, condolence notecards, and flower cards that were sent immediately after his death. While the words of love and sympathy that were expressed by family and friends were very much welcome, it was some of the sympathy cards and notes that I received from total strangers that made some of the most lasting impressions. These greeting cards were from people that I had never met, but that my husband had dealings with in his job. I’ve always thought of my husband as a very honest, kind and ethical person. To have strangers confirm in these greeting cards what I have always known was very comforting. To know that he made a lasting impression in people’s lives makes my children and me very proud.

Dealing with the death of a loved one is a devastating life event. We often use sympathy cards to connect with people during these difficult times. I often feel that I should not approach someone in person as I do not want to make them cry as well. I cannot do it myself without breaking down into tears. How do you tell someone how sorry you are for their loss? Sometimes it is easier to express your feelings in personal sympathy cards.

It is equally devastating when a person loses their pet. Pets have become important members of many American families, providing enjoyment, companionship, and unconditional love for their owners. There are now all kinds of services for pets including health insurance, day care, “hotels” instead of kennels, and even greeting cards.

As my own children grew up and moved out on their own, I began to acquire cats. Actually, the cats somehow found me, probably knowing what a soft heart I have when it comes to four-legged, furry friends. Both of my children brought home a stray cat before leaving home, so my two cats eventually became the four I now have. Over the years, I have lost three cats and was devastated for a long time after each of them passed on. Princess, Callie, and most recently Baby are gone now, but the mere mention of their names still brings tears to my eyes.

If you know someone who has lost a pet, do not hesitate to express your condolences by sending sympathy cards. Their pet was a very precious part of their life. It was not “just a cat” or “just a dog” and they are never replaceable because each animal is a unique being. If you cannot find the right words to express yourself in person, send sympathy cards. There are greeting cards available specifically for pet loss, but you can certainly use traditional sympathy cards. Thoughtfully chosen sympathy cards or notecards with handwritten sentiments let the recipient know you are thinking of them. Their loss is real and they need to know that others do care.

In times of loss, the support and well wishes of family, friends, coworkers, and even business associates provide a level of comfort needed during such difficult times. Sympathy cards convey comforting messages in a very soft, reassuring manner. These greeting cards will help you express your sympathy condolences when support is needed the most.

In the corporate world, I feel that everyone should have business sympathy cards on hand to send to an associate or client to pay your respects. Business sympathy cards bring comfort and support that will be remembered. During difficult times, any kindness is welcomed by the family and the simple gesture of sending sympathy cards will be appreciated by those coping with the loss of a loved one. When coworkers or clients receive business sympathy cards, they’ll know that they are thought of and their business relationships are valued.

I feel sympathy cards are under-utilized, perhaps due to the difficult nature of the occasion. It’s certainly more enjoyable to send corporate birthday cards and holiday cards to business associates and clients, but reaching out during times of grief is much more meaningful and can help offer some solace. I truly feel that sympathy cards are important to send. The comforting message you provide by sending sympathy cards matters and will be greatly appreciated.

When an employee suffers a loss, an employer can find itself at a loss as well. How do you extend your sympathies and condolences? Although it can be hard to know the right thing to say or do, giving sympathy cards to employees who are going through a difficult time is always an appropriate gesture.

There really is no easy way to handle this type of situation but you want to make sure that you extend your sympathy and show that you value your employees. It is important to show support for a colleague who has experienced a loss. A simple and heartfelt “I’m sorry for your loss” can let a person know that he or she is thought of during a difficult time.

The 35 or 40 hours a week that employees spend at their jobs is sometimes more than they spend with their own families. It is said by many that once you become comfortable at a job your coworkers become your second family. This is the case for many employees at my company. We share in each other’s triumphs as well as challenges, often expressing ourselves with greeting cards through life’s ups and downs.

By having a box of business sympathy cards at your side, you can easily have a suitable card on hand to give to employees, ensuring that they know their second family cares for them when it counts the most.