What are sympathy cards?

In the 19th century, sympathy cards were used to announce a person’s death. Original sympathy cards were typically flat engraved cards with the person’s name and facts regarding their life, death, and surviving loved ones. Because information traveled slowly then, sympathy cards were a respectful way to share a relative or friend's passing. Today, sympathy cards are used to convey empathy and care for those who have experienced a loss.

Types of sympathy cards

When you’re looking for a way to share loving and compassionate sentiments, you want a card that reflects your true feelings. Select a personalized sympathy card for a colleague who lost a loved one. Give a dog sympathy card to someone who had to say goodbye to their furry companion. Whatever the reason, choose from these popular types of sympathy cards from sellers on Etsy: Expressive: Sympathy cards with pre-written messages help convey your feelings eloquently and compassionately. You’ll find cards for many specific losses, making them a more personal option. Blank: Blank sympathy cards feature artwork on the front with a completely blank interior, ready for you to fill. Blank cards work well when you have a story to share or deep feelings to express. Custom: Custom sympathy cards are crafted by expert artisans to convey personalized messages, favorite quotes or sayings, and more. Custom cards are ideal when you want to provide an individualized note with a refined look. Sympathy thank yous: Express appreciation with sympathy thank you cards for guests, friends, and family who have been there for you during your loss. These cards help express thanks in a memorable way.

What to write in a sympathy card

Finding the right words to express condolences is never easy. There’s no perfect way to say you’re sorry for a loved one’s loss, but you can offer thoughtfulness, kindness, and empathy. When you’re struggling to find the right words, remember to write your message from the heart. Here are some ideas to get you started: Share a funny and tender story featuring their lost loved one as the star. Pair your card with a small plant or flower as a symbol of enduring life. Share a quote that saw you through a difficult time or a loss of your own.

Sympathy Cards

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Sympathy Card Set | Condolence Cards | Deepest Sympathies | Grief | Floral Sympathy Card Set | Blank Inside

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From shop BlueThistlePrints
HELEN KELLER QUOTE - Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Support Card - D326

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Ships Fast - The Tide Poem Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Thinking of You, Loss and Grieving, Handmade Celebration of Life Greeting Cards

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From shop Nuts4Stampin
STARS IN SKY Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Thinking of You Card - D220

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From shop apartment2cards
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Zen Earth Inspired Sympathy Cards + Envelopes 24 Pack 5"x7" Condolances with Heartfelt Phrases Inside, Heavy Duty Card Stock Made in USA

(417)

Sale Price $18.58
Original Price $24.78 (25% off)

From shop ZenEarthInspiredShop

FREE shipping
A Fallen Limb Poem, 5x7 Bereavement Sympathy Card, Funeral Poem, Loss of Parent Condolence Card, In Memory of Card

(3,954)

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$6.50

From shop DebbraObertanecArt

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Toni Morrison Quote - General Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Support Card - D419

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$5.00

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No. 249 Sympathy Flowers

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$6.00

From shop deeandlala
6 Handmade Sympathy Cards. Blank Sympathy Card Set. Condolence Cards

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$14.50

From shop DandACards

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With Deepest Sympathy-Greeting Card -100% Recycled Paper -Eco-friendly -Sorry For Your Loss-Size A2-4.25"x5.5"

(1,010)

Star Seller

$5.50

From shop Peacefulstationery

FREE shipping

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Sympathy card, condolence card, bereavement card, sorry for your loss, handmade card, thinking of you, kind words for grieving TLC0023

(10,642)

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$5.52

From shop TattingLaceCrafts

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Sympathy card

(611)

$4.50

From shop CreativecardStore

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Handmade Sympathy Card. Bereavement. Grief. Loss of a Loved One. Thinking of You. Just Because. Encouragement. Trees. Mourning

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$4.90

From shop MeAndMyPaperCuts
Printable Sympathy Card | Sympathy Cards Printable | Thinking Of You Cards | Bereavement And Loss Cards

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$2.50

From shop ClearDigitalDesign

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Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Thinking of You Card, STARRY NIGHT - D201

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Pretty Sympathy Card From Family or Work - Our Hearts are with You Greeting Card

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From shop ASpaperDesigns

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Hand Made Die Cut Sympathy Card. Grief. Mourning a Loss. Bereavement. Thinking of You. Encouragement

(5,500)

$4.90

From shop MeAndMyPaperCuts
5 Handmade Sympathy Cards. Set of Blank Condolence Greeting Cards

(4,118)

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$11.50

From shop DandACards
Handmade Sympathy Cards, Embossed Tree. Blank Condolence Greeting Cards. Set of 4, 10, or 25.

(4,118)

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$9.50

From shop DandACards
Handmade Sympathy Card. Bereavement. Grief. Loss of a Loved One. Thinking of You. Just Because. Encouragement. Mourning. Inspirational

(5,500)

$4.90

From shop MeAndMyPaperCuts
Red Cardinals in Birch Trees Sympathy Card

(14,504)

$1.65

From shop TijaCreations
JOHN STEINBECK QUOTE - Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Support Card - D328

(6,048)

$5.00

From shop apartment2cards
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Sympathy, Condolence Card Sensitive White on White. Spiritual 3D Butterfly, Pearls symbolizing tears. FREE POSTAGE TO U.K.

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$6.48

From shop HeartToSoulCards

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Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Thinking of You Card LILY OF VALLEY - D325

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$5.00

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Dragonfly Sympathy Cards, Dragonfly Sympathy Note Cards, Condolence Card Set, Sympathy Notecards, Set of 10

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$22.00

From shop BeanBlossomPaper

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Death is Nothing at All, All is Well, Henry Scott Holland, 5x7 Bereavement Sympathy Card, Thinking of You Condolence Card

(3,954)

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$6.50

From shop DebbraObertanecArt
Sympathy Card and Memory Keepsake Gift, Plantable Wildflower Seed Card, Bereavement Gift, Sorry For Your Loss, Sympathy Gift, Loving Memory

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From shop DearEmilyDesigns

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Personalised Sympathy Card / So Sorry For The Very Sad Loss of Your Mum, Dad, Friend, Gran, Sister etc. / Foil Embossed Card

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From shop CarysLawsonArt

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sympathy card / condolences card / bird and blossoms

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From shop ModernPrintedMatter
Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Thinking of You Card, FLORAL COMFORT - D323

(6,048)

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Cat Sympathy Greeting Card, "Always in your heart", Layered w/Designer Paper, Embellished w/Charm, Baker Twine, Ribbon & Dots, Stampin' Up

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$5.00

From shop CardsbyJaneDesigns
Mourning card, condolence card, handmade, tears are beautiful when you laugh them, Buddha, Ying Yang

$6.56

From shop bestefreundin
Sympathy Card. Handmade. Bereavement. Grief. Loss. Mourning. Encouragement. Inspirational. Unisex. For Him. For Her.

(5,500)

$4.90

From shop MeAndMyPaperCuts
Handmade Sympathy Card. Bereavement. Grief. Loss of a Loved One. Thinking of You. Encouragement. Mourning. Unisex

(5,500)

$4.90

From shop MeAndMyPaperCuts
Printable Sympathy Card, Comfort and Peace Condolence Card, Dandelion Grief Card, Condolences Card, Simple Sympathy Card, Condolence Gift

(208)

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Sale Price $2.55
Original Price $3.19 (20% off)

From shop WinnieandBlueDesigns

Digital Download
Hand Made Die Cut Sympathy Card. Grief. Mourning a Loss. Bereavement. Thinking of You. Encouragement

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$4.90

From shop MeAndMyPaperCuts
Best friend, friendship, thank you, love, birthday, card for best friend, you are the best

$8.34

From shop bestefreundin
Mourning card, condolence card, handmade, lots of strength

$7.67

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Memorial Bench With Flowers Card - If I Could Have One Wish Bereavement Card - In Memory of A Loved One Card - Blank Inside - 724

(768)

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Sale Price $9.35
Original Price $12.47 (25% off)

From shop SendAGift4U

FREE shipping
Hand Made Die Cut Sympathy Card. Grief. Mourning a Loss. Bereavement. Thinking of You. Encouragement

(5,500)

$4.90

From shop MeAndMyPaperCuts
Printable Sympathy Card | Sympathy Cards Printable | Thinking Of You Cards | Bereavement And Loss Cards | Printable Sympathy Cards

(744)

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$2.50

From shop ClearDigitalDesign

Digital Download
Sympathy Card Loss of Husband, Loss of Son, Anniversary of Loss, Sympathy Card Loss of Father, Loss of Child, Condolence Card, grief card

(2,368)

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From shop FoxCardCo

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Sympathy card, condolences card, paper flowers, flowers card, tulips card, sympathy card, personalised card, white flowers, sympathy flowers

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From shop AngelAtMyEasel
Sympathy Calligraphy Card (4.25" x 5.5") -- Grief Quote Card, Sympathy Card, card size 4.25 x 5.5 inches, blank inside

(432)

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$4.50

From shop QuillandCopper
Mourning grief support card / Death anniversary remembrance / Thinking of you after loss card / Belated sympathy card

(2,475)

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$5.95

From shop UpliftExpress

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Personalised With Sympathy Card

(7,322)

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$3.88

From shop DebSmithDesign
Sympathy Card | Always Here For You | Grief Card for Condolences

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From shop PocketsofPaperShop
Sympathy Card | Handmade Watercolour card | Dandelion | condolences | bereavement card | thinking of you | support | loss

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From shop invisibleye
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Sympathy Cards

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Sympathy Cards

Sympathy Card Set | Condolence Cards | Deepest Sympathies | Grief | Floral Sympathy Card Set | Blank Inside

HELEN KELLER QUOTE - Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Support Card - D326

Ships Fast - The Tide Poem Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Thinking of You, Loss and Grieving, Handmade Celebration of Life Greeting Cards

STARS IN SKY Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Thinking of You Card - D220

Zen Earth Inspired Sympathy Cards + Envelopes 24 Pack 5"x7" Condolances with Heartfelt Phrases Inside, Heavy Duty Card Stock Made in USA

A Fallen Limb Poem, 5x7 Bereavement Sympathy Card, Funeral Poem, Loss of Parent Condolence Card, In Memory of Card

Toni Morrison Quote - General Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Support Card - D419

No. 249 Sympathy Flowers

6 Handmade Sympathy Cards. Blank Sympathy Card Set. Condolence Cards

With Deepest Sympathy-Greeting Card -100% Recycled Paper -Eco-friendly -Sorry For Your Loss-Size A2-4.25"x5.5"

Sympathy card, condolence card, bereavement card, sorry for your loss, handmade card, thinking of you, kind words for grieving TLC0023

Sympathy card

Handmade Sympathy Card. Bereavement. Grief. Loss of a Loved One. Thinking of You. Just Because. Encouragement. Trees. Mourning

Printable Sympathy Card | Sympathy Cards Printable | Thinking Of You Cards | Bereavement And Loss Cards

Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Thinking of You Card, STARRY NIGHT - D201

Pretty Sympathy Card From Family or Work - Our Hearts are with You Greeting Card

Hand Made Die Cut Sympathy Card. Grief. Mourning a Loss. Bereavement. Thinking of You. Encouragement

5 Handmade Sympathy Cards. Set of Blank Condolence Greeting Cards

Handmade Sympathy Cards, Embossed Tree. Blank Condolence Greeting Cards. Set of 4, 10, or 25.

Handmade Sympathy Card. Bereavement. Grief. Loss of a Loved One. Thinking of You. Just Because. Encouragement. Mourning. Inspirational

Red Cardinals in Birch Trees Sympathy Card

JOHN STEINBECK QUOTE - Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Support Card - D328

Sympathy, Condolence Card Sensitive White on White. Spiritual 3D Butterfly, Pearls symbolizing tears. FREE POSTAGE TO U.K.

Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Thinking of You Card LILY OF VALLEY - D325

Dragonfly Sympathy Cards, Dragonfly Sympathy Note Cards, Condolence Card Set, Sympathy Notecards, Set of 10

Death is Nothing at All, All is Well, Henry Scott Holland, 5x7 Bereavement Sympathy Card, Thinking of You Condolence Card

Sympathy Card and Memory Keepsake Gift, Plantable Wildflower Seed Card, Bereavement Gift, Sorry For Your Loss, Sympathy Gift, Loving Memory

Personalised Sympathy Card / So Sorry For The Very Sad Loss of Your Mum, Dad, Friend, Gran, Sister etc. / Foil Embossed Card

sympathy card / condolences card / bird and blossoms

Sympathy Card, Condolence Card, Thinking of You Card, FLORAL COMFORT - D323

Cat Sympathy Greeting Card, "Always in your heart", Layered w/Designer Paper, Embellished w/Charm, Baker Twine, Ribbon & Dots, Stampin' Up

Mourning card, condolence card, handmade, tears are beautiful when you laugh them, Buddha, Ying Yang

Sympathy Card. Handmade. Bereavement. Grief. Loss. Mourning. Encouragement. Inspirational. Unisex. For Him. For Her.

Handmade Sympathy Card. Bereavement. Grief. Loss of a Loved One. Thinking of You. Encouragement. Mourning. Unisex

Printable Sympathy Card, Comfort and Peace Condolence Card, Dandelion Grief Card, Condolences Card, Simple Sympathy Card, Condolence Gift

Hand Made Die Cut Sympathy Card. Grief. Mourning a Loss. Bereavement. Thinking of You. Encouragement

Best friend, friendship, thank you, love, birthday, card for best friend, you are the best

Mourning card, condolence card, handmade, lots of strength

Memorial Bench With Flowers Card - If I Could Have One Wish Bereavement Card - In Memory of A Loved One Card - Blank Inside - 724

Hand Made Die Cut Sympathy Card. Grief. Mourning a Loss. Bereavement. Thinking of You. Encouragement

Printable Sympathy Card | Sympathy Cards Printable | Thinking Of You Cards | Bereavement And Loss Cards | Printable Sympathy Cards

Sympathy Card Loss of Husband, Loss of Son, Anniversary of Loss, Sympathy Card Loss of Father, Loss of Child, Condolence Card, grief card

Sympathy card, condolences card, paper flowers, flowers card, tulips card, sympathy card, personalised card, white flowers, sympathy flowers

Sympathy Calligraphy Card (4.25" x 5.5") -- Grief Quote Card, Sympathy Card, card size 4.25 x 5.5 inches, blank inside

Mourning grief support card / Death anniversary remembrance / Thinking of you after loss card / Belated sympathy card

Personalised With Sympathy Card

Sympathy Card | Always Here For You | Grief Card for Condolences

Sympathy Card | Handmade Watercolour card | Dandelion | condolences | bereavement card | thinking of you | support | loss

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