Wondering what to write in a sympathy card? Figuring out a special sympathy card message for your friend, relative, mom, dad, son, daughter, or other loved one can be challenging. Use these free sympathy card message ideas for your card. Combine them or change them as you need to make them fit the person who will receive your words of sympathy. Keep in mind that sometimes the most effective words to write in a card are short yet meaningful.

Most people have a fear that they are going to somehow offend the person who will receive their sympathy words. Intimidation sets in as you try to find the correct sympathy card wording. For example, "I know what you are going through" can be a poor choice of words for a sympathy card. The reason is that you probably don't know what the person is going through, and even if you do it can come across as minimizing the suffering and pain the receiving person is feeling.

1. "I am sorry for your loss." (simple message)

2. "I want you to know that I am here for you at this time of grieving." (supportive message)

3. "You are in my thoughts and prayers." (spiritual message)

4. "Losing a pet can be tough. Feel free to borrow my pain in the butt (dog, cat, monkey) any time you want." (funny message)

5. "I like to believe that when we loose someone close to us they still live through us and give us strength. The time we have spent with those we've lost makes them part of us." (spiritual message)

6. "I am glad to have known _______. I realize that you have lost a special person." (sincere mesage)

7. "No one will ever be able to replace _______. (He or she) was really special." (sincere message)

8. "I'm really happy for ________ because (he or she) feels no pain any more. Unfortunately for those of us left behind, we still feel the pain of loss." (rational outlook)

9. "Words do an injustice in explaining how much we will miss _______. (He or she) will remain very alive in our memories and admiration." (sentimental words)

10. "I have felt blessed to have known _______. I can't imagine losing a blessing like (him or her)." (sympathy)

11. "I am not good with words. I hope you can find some comfort from my card anyway." (genuinely honest)

1. "The saying, 'All good things must come to an end' just doesn't seem to be a fair rule." (feeling of injustice)

2. "The more you are blessed, the more it hurts when you loose that blessing." (gracious)

3. "Sometimes I question whether we deserved to be around a person of character like _______. I will continue to look in (his or her) direction for inspiration." (Inspirational message)

4. "Words cannot describe who ______ was. And so words also cannot describe the loss we are all feeling now." (Indescribable)

5. "My condolences" (short and simple)

6. "We will all miss ______." (simple)

7. "The body dies, but the love lives on. Love is everlasting."

8. "We are all on our own schedule to meet God. Too bad ______ was actually punctual for once." (funny message)

9. "I wish God didn't have to make ______ an example of the saying, 'Life's too short.'" (funny message)

10. "We are all left with a large hole from our loss. We will have to trust God to fill it." (faith message)

11. "This card isn't meant to do anything for you but let you know that I am thinking of you at this time.  I am sorry for your loss."

Even if you combine these with any of the above sympathy messages, they will still sound awful. Avoid writing sympathy saying cliches or including other personal business. Here are some sympathy card sayings to avoid. In parentheses are the expected reactions to the horrible card messages.

1. "I know how you feel." (No you don't)

2. "It's time for you to move on with your life." (Thanks for the advice, jerk)

3. "It was his/her time to go." (Who are you, God?)

4. "I have a friend who died just like _______. The doctors told him that he would live a lot longer. One night I was talking to him and all of the sudden I looked over and the rocking chair had stopped moving. I don't know how, but I knew he was dead. Those dang doctors don't know what they are talking about do they. Sorry he died earlier than you thought." (way too much information)

5. "I owed _______ ten dollars. Who should I give the money?" (Forget the ten dollars)

6. "We all have to die some time." (not at all comforting)

7. "Just remember the good times" (cliche)

8. "______ said I could have his/her guitar when he/she died. Let me know a good time to pick it up." (It's all about me)

9. "I am sure you will find someone out there for you just as good as ________." (Boy that makes me feel better)

10. "We saw it coming. I mean, what did he expect drinking and smoking like that all those years." (You deserve to die for saying that. Keep it to yourself)

11. "All things work out for a reason.  There must be a reason this has happened." (Go ahead and try to explain why this is good."

Write your own sympathy card message.  Use these words of sympathy for your sympathy card message. These words will help you get you thoughts and feelings in your message.

• Sympathy, condolence, sorrow, sadness
  
• Deepest, difficult, heartfelt, warm, loving
• Understanding, memorable, beautiful
  
• Thoughts, prayers, comfort
  
• Express, feel, know
  
• Tribute, memorial, heart
• Words, loss, sadness
  

You can find more messages for cards at the following links:

• What to Write in a Card
• Sympathy Card Messages
• Sympathy Card Wording
  
• Sample Sympathy Card Messages
• Thank You Card Messages
• Birthday Card Messages
• Get Well Card Messages
• Anniversary Card Messages
• Baby Shower Card Messages
• Thinking of You Card Messages
• Wedding Card Messages
• Business Holiday Card Messages
  
• Online Cards