A great suggestion.

My condolences on the loss of your nephew.

Thank you for the suggestion. It sounds so logical, but isn't something I ever thought to do. I will next time!

Thank-you for the suggestion. I guess I just never thought to expect a thank-you note. But it is worth remembering.

I'm so sorry about your nephew - your sister must be devastated. It's nice of you to do this for her.

Sorry for the death in the family.

I didn't think thank you cards or acknowledgements were required or used in these circumstances.

I have no idea what a "mass card" is, but I only sent thank-you notes for flowers, memorials to the church, donations to the humane society when my mom died. I didn't send a thank-you for a sympathy card.

Hmmm...I've never heard of sending a thank you card to someone who gave me a sympathy card. I've sent thank you cards for other occasions, but not for having received a sympathy card.

This is a long-standing custom (in certain areas?) and I've always found it baffling. A grieving family does not want to worry about thanking anyone at such a time, especially for a card. You can bet the recipient is grateful, but I don't think s/he should be expected to send a ty note.

I'm really sorry to read about your nephew, Sprt.

Mass cards include a donation for the deceased to be acknowledged/remembered at a Mass.

Sorry for your loss

I'm so sorry for your loss of a loved one. I'm in agreement that thank you cards in response to sympathy cards are not necessary nor expected. I'm quite sure that the senders didn't expect a card in return. That's probably why return addresses were missing.

Thank yous for flowers, gifts of food, donations, and memorials are welcome, I am sure.

So sorry for your loss.

Mass sympathy cards include a donation unlike regular sympathy cards (which may or may not contain cash). They are usually available at the church. Those receive a thank you, but not just a card.

So mass cards sound like donations to the church. Got it. Donations to any organization warrant a thank-you.

Donations to any organization warrant a thank-you.

@imstillchloecat - But you may not know who made a donation. When my dad died we asked for donations to the small hospice society who took such good care of my dad and my mom. They called us to thank us for that, but we have no idea who made donations to the society.

And if I make a donation on someone's behalf I sure don't call them up and tell them that I made a donation - I dont think that's appropriate.

thanks everyone for your condolences. we are totally devastated. my sister, her DH & DD will never be the same. we have a long, difficult road ahead of us.

i guess i should clear this up a little. we did not send thank-you's for sympathy card, eg. hallmark card. we sent them to people who sent mass cards, which have to be paid for, food, flowers and donations made in his name. the out-pouring was AMAZING!! we are so grateful.

i agree, no thank you necessary for sympathy card.

*usually* you get a notice that a donation was made in that person's memory. we received them for my mom 3 years ago and they are getting them for their son. FWIW, the organization should definitely let the family know how much and from whom they received it from.

thanks again everyone!

When Mom passed away last year, my brothers and I sent thank you cards to every person or family who signed the book, either at the viewing or at the memorial. We were touched at how many made a point of coming, some from a long distance. And in some way, it was therapeutic for us to do so.

Around here and out in the farm area the "custom" is pretty much a thank-you card for anyone attending you know of, whether they signed the book or not. Also to anyone who sent money, flowers, donated food, etc. Big job. What a WONDERFUL suggestion to write "no thank-you needed". I've never thought of doing that and what a simple idea. Many are like myself. I don't need a thank you card. I think it's a waste of time, money and natural resources.