Top 7 Tips for Managing Thank You Notes
Top 7 Tips for Managing Thank You Notes
Writing out Thank You notes is not something you think about when you are dealing with the loss of a loved one. You certainly are not thinking about thank you note etiquette, so we present a few tips to help you be prepared for this task.
1. Keep a list
From the very first day after your bereavement, people will be doing kind things for you, like bringing meals and flowers or offering assistance. Don’t trust your memory—instead, keep a notebook handy and write these kindnesses down.
2. Keep it short
Nobody expects you to write a lengthy note. Simply saying something like, “Thank you for visiting me and bringing a meal—I really appreciate you,” will be enough.
3. Take some time
Send your thank you notes when you’re ready, without feeling pressured to get this task done right away. Within two or three weeks is just fine. Take longer if you need to.
4. Get some help
If a little time has passed but you still feel too stressed or emotional to write your thank you notes, ask another family member or close friend to step in. You can dictate while they write.
5. Thank the right people
You know who they are—the clergy, the pallbearers, the musicians, and those who went out of their way to remember your loved one with a helping hand or a remembrance. You don’t need to thank each person who attended the funeral or sent a card.
6. Consider a public thank you
If your loved one was especially well-known in the community, or if there was a huge outpouring of support for your family, it may be appropriate to place a “Card of Thanks” notice in the local newspaper. This can be an effective way of reaching out to hundreds of people.
7. Offer honorariums
Your thank you notes to the clergy and the musicians (the pianist and soloist, for example) should include an honorarium of $50–$200 for the clergy and $25–100 for musicians. Your church or your funeral home professional can help guide you in giving the right amount.
Writing thank you notes when you are grieving can seem like an overwhelming challenge. While it can be time-consuming and somewhat difficult, it doesn’t have to be an impossible chore. If tackling the job is something that you just can’t handle on your own, it is perfectly acceptable to enlist the help of a friend or family member. Below are our Top 7 Tips for Managing Thank You Notes.
7 Thank You Note Tips
- Keep a list: From the very first day after your bereavement, people will be doing kind things for you, like bringing meals and flowers or offering assistance. Don’t trust your memory—instead, keep a notebook handy and write these kindnesses down. This will be a helpful resource when it comes times to write your thank you notes.
- Keep it short: Nobody expects you to write a lengthy note. Simply saying something like, “Thank you for visiting me and bringing a meal—I really appreciate you,” will be enough.
- Take some time: Send your thank you notes when you’re ready. You don’t need to feel pressured to get this task done right away. Within two or three weeks is just fine. Take longer if you need to.
- Get some help: If a little time has passed but you still feel too stressed or emotional to write your thank you notes, ask another family member or close friend to step in. You can dictate while they write.
- Thank the right people: You know who they are—the clergy, the pallbearers, the musicians, and those who went out of their way to remember your loved one with a helping hand or a remembrance. You don’t need to thank each person who attended the funeral or sent a card.
- Consider a public thank you: If your loved one was especially well-known in the community, or if there was a huge outpouring of support for your family, it may be appropriate to place a “Card of Thanks” notice in the local newspaper. This can be an effective way to reach out to hundreds of people.
- Offer honorariums: Your thank you notes to the clergy and the musicians (the pianist and soloist, for example) should include an honorarium of $50–$200 for the clergy and $25–100 for musicians. Your church or your funeral home professional can help guide you in determine the right amount.
See our Collection of Thank You Cards.
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Contributor: Jenny Mertes
