A sympathy or thank-you message in your own words
Sometimes the hardest note is the shortest one. Tell us who you are writing to, who died, and what you remember or want to say, and choose from a short, a medium and a long version, written in your voice.
- Three versions: short (fits a card), medium and long
- Written in your voice, to the person you name
- Your memory of the person who died, if you share one
- 1 revision included
Who it is for
- You want to write more than "sorry for your loss"
- You need to thank people who helped after a death
- You have to announce a death or invite people to a memorial
A real delivery, unedited
This is exactly what the assistant wrote on September 30, 2026 for the answers below, with no editing on our part, after the automatic fact check that compares every sentence with the answers and removes anything they do not contain. The answers are fictional: the person and the memories were invented for this example.
The answers given
- What you need: Condolence letter
- Name of the person who died: Tom Alvarez
- Your relationship to them: his coworker at the county water department for 15 years
- Who you are writing to: his wife, Linda, whom I have met a few times at work picnics
- What you want to say, or a memory of them: Tom brought a thermos of his own coffee every morning and poured the first cup for whoever looked the most tired.
- A second memory (optional): When my father was sick, he covered my shifts for two weeks and never mentioned it.
- Three words that describe them: generous, calm, early
- Tone: Warm and personal
- Faith references: No religious references
- Signed by (optional): Rachel Kim
Short version
42 wordsLinda, I am so sorry about Tom. He brought his own coffee every morning and poured the first cup for whoever looked the most tired, and he covered my shifts when my father was sick. I will remember his generosity. Rachel Kim
Medium version
79 wordsDear Linda,
I am so sorry about Tom. We worked together at the county water department for fifteen years, and I am grateful for every one of them. He brought a thermos of his own coffee every morning and poured the first cup for whoever looked the most tired. When my father was sick, Tom covered my shifts for two weeks and never mentioned it. He was generous and calm, and I won't forget that.
With sympathy,
Rachel Kim
Long version
138 wordsDear Linda,
We have met a few times at the work picnics, and I wanted to write to you myself. I am so sorry about Tom.
I worked with him at the county water department for fifteen years. He was always early, and he was calm. Every morning he brought a thermos of his own coffee, and he poured the first cup for whoever looked the most tired.
When my father was sick, Tom covered my shifts for two weeks. He never mentioned it afterward, and I have not forgotten it. Generous, calm, and early are the words that come to mind when I think of him, and I am grateful to have worked beside him for so long.
I am thinking of you, and there is no need to reply to this.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Rachel Kim
Why three versions
A card has room for two sentences; a letter can say more. You receive a short version that fits inside a card, a medium one, and a longer one that reads as a real letter, so you can choose what fits the paper and the relationship. One revision is included.
If you would rather write it yourself, the free guides on what to write in a sympathy card and funeral thank-you notes have dozens of examples with notes.
Before you decide
Who or what writes it?
An AI writing assistant, following our rules: your words and memories only, no platitudes, no religious language unless you ask for it. You choose the version and adjust it.
What if it does not work for me?
Use the revision, and if it still does not work, write to us within 14 days for a full refund.
Common questions
What kinds of messages can I order?
A sympathy card message, a condolence letter, a funeral thank-you note (for flowers, meals, donations or help), a death announcement by email, text or social media, or an invitation to a celebration of life or memorial.
Will it sound generic?
Only if the answers are. Give one real detail, a memory of the person who died or something the recipient did, and the message is built around it.