What to write on a condolence card: short messages that say enough

When you need to send flowers to a funeral home or to a grieving family, the hardest part is rarely choosing the bouquet. It is the card. A few words that sound neither cold nor overdone, often written in a hurry while the wake has already begun.

You do not need to write well. You need to write little, and with care. Here are examples you can use as they are or adapt, depending on who the flowers are for.

What works on a sympathy card

• Short. One or two sentences. The family will read many cards in those days.
• Addressed to the person receiving it. «Thinking of you» works better than a general reflection on life.
• With your full name. A funeral home receives a lot of flowers; if you only write «Luis», they may not know which Luis. If a group is signing, name it in full: «Your colleagues in the sales team».
• No explanations. There is no need to say why you cannot attend or how you heard the news.

Messages for family or a close friend

• «With you in your sorrow. We are here for whatever you need.»
• «With all our love in these very hard days.»
• «Thinking of you all, and of everything [name] gave us.»
• «There are no words. Just a very big hug.»
• «We will always remember her laugh at Sunday lunch.»

The last one is an example of what works best: a short, specific memory is worth more than any set phrase.

Messages for a colleague or an acquaintance

• «My deepest condolences to you and your family.»
• «We are so sorry. A hug from the whole team.»
• «Thinking of you at this time. With love, your colleagues at [company].»

If the family is Spanish, the classic phrase is «Os acompañamos en el sentimiento» («we share your sorrow»). It always fits.

Messages from a company or a residents' association

When a company, an association or a building's residents sign, the tone is more formal and the group's name always goes in full:

• «[Company] joins the family in their grief at the passing of [name].»
• «Your neighbours at [street and number] share your sorrow.»

If the flowers arrive a few days later

Sometimes you hear late, or you would rather not send anything to the funeral home. Flowers or a plant sent home a week later are very welcome: that is when the house goes quiet. Here the card can be a little more personal:

• «Still thinking of you. Coffee whenever you feel like it.»
• «So this home has something beautiful in it these days.»

For this we usually recommend a Phalaenopsis orchid with white flowers: it lasts for months and needs very little care.

And for All Saints' Day

On 1 November the card is not for a family but for the person who is gone. Something short and personal is enough: «Always with you», «We miss you», or simply the name of whoever brings the flowers. You will find our selection for the date in All Saints' Day flowers.

What to avoid

• Phrases that play down the loss. «They are in a better place» or «Everything happens for a reason» can hurt, however kindly meant.
• Religious references, if you do not know the family's beliefs.
• Long cards. If you have a lot to say, a separate letter or a phone call is better.

How to add a card to your Cloris order

All our bouquets can include a card with your message: you write it in the message or card text section when you place the order. For condolences we usually prepare understated bouquets in whites and greens:

• Cielo bouquet: white roses, lilium and blue carnations with blue gypsophila.
• Serenidad bouquet: white roses, campanulas, stock and lisianthus.
• Wild-style bouquet (Ramo silvestre): assorted white flowers and fresh greenery, simple and luminous.
• White bouquet with natural greenery: white peonies and roses, lilies, gerberas and lisianthus on eucalyptus.

You'll find the current price of each one on its product page: it can change with the season and the size.

If the bouquet is going to a funeral home, our condolence flowers page explains what details to add to the order. If you need it today, order before 14:00 and message us on WhatsApp at +34 653 160 335 straight afterwards: we will confirm whether we can get there in time.