It can be difficult to know what ‘best practice’ is when it comes to funerals. Every funeral is bespoke, and every family is different, and so there is no one-size-fits-all approach that is guaranteed to be the correct option each and every time. The process of writing an in-memoriam card or acknowledgement card can be mentally stressful and emotionally draining, but should you decide that you would like to write one, it makes sense to know why such a card would be sent, who should receive one, and what information is generally included.

Who should you send a card to?

This is, of course, entirely up to you; you can send a card to anyone you like, but generally speaking, one should be sent to:

• Anyone who attended the funeral service, sent flowers, or wanted to attend but was unable to
• Anyone who offered or supplied financial assistance
• The members of the clergy who helped to organise or run the service
• Anybody (singers or band members) who did any kind of performance at the service

What to say in a card?

Again, this is something that will undoubtedly alter from case to case, but there are certain elements that tend to be included. These are our top tips when it comes to writing a remembrance card:

• Don’t be afraid to ask family members or friends for assistance during the writing process.
• Consider including key dates from the loved one’s life (date of birth, wedding day, birth dates of children, date of death).
• Make sure that any content is concise but meaningful. If the loved one had a favourite film, poem or song, perhaps a certain quote or lyric could be included.
• If you would like to write something bespoke to the card’s recipient – saying thank you for some flowers, or for travelling a long distance – then this can also be included.

When should such a card be sent?

While there is no defined timeline, a general rule of thumb is that a card should be sent out within about two weeks of the service taking place. The most time-consuming element of sending out such cards tends to be gathering postal addresses, and that is something that we can most certainly help you with.

How we can help?

If you need any assistance when it comes to writing an in-memoriam or acknowledgement card, choosing a font or type of material, or collating addresses, we will be more than happy to offer you a helping hand. Get in touch today and we can give you all of the assistance you require.