My wife just died a month ago. I received over 500 cards and notes. Must I answer each of them?

Answer 1

No, these notes, cards, and whatever else you have received were sent showing you their sympathy. Nobody should expect anything from you, you have already lost so much, and experienced enough pain. This is about your healing, and I'm almost 100% sure the senders of the items don't expect anything in return. Now, if you want to respond that's your choice. I'll say a prayer for you...Just know that this is a very temporary time apart from your wife, and whatever is bound by God on earth shall be bound in heaven. ;)

Answer 2

You have a little bit of time to answer them, but my advice would be to get some help from some family members. I'm not sure of the etiquette on such things, but I would bet you would get cut some slack under the circumstances.

I would categorize them by how close you or your wife are/were to them and start there. If its possible, perhaps you could mail a response to more than one person, say if several from the same office sent something, then send that office one card with each of their names, or one family member who's in close contact with others. I don't know if that's proper etiquette, but then I don't remember reading about 500 responses of sympathy. Blessings and luck.

Answer 3

The cards you recieved were only sent as a small source of comfort. Sympathy cards must never have to be answered. The card senders will certainly understand. If you see someone in person that sent you a card and you think of it at the time, take THAT opportunity to express your appreciation.

Answer 4

No, I wouldn' t think so. Put a thank you in the local papers for the local folks. Put a thank you in your church bulletin if you attend one. If there are some from very close, personal friends, I would attempt to answer those personally. How fortunate that your wife was so well known and so well liked.

Answer 5

Sorry for your loss.

I see alot of people put thank you notes in the newspaper. That would probably work for the local cards you received. I think people would understand if they didn't get a personal note from you.

Answer 6

My deepest and most wholehearted condolences to you my friend. I pray God continues to give you the strength you need to take each day one step at a time.

Cards are a way for people to say something without having to say it themselves. Besides there not being anything anyone can say to ease the pain, you should only have to respond to the friends who are at arms length. Everyone else will just have to understand. God Bless You!!!

Answer 7

You should answer all of them.....either verbally, for those closer friends, that would be good, and for those long lost friends or those you never really new that well....then write them.......500 is alot, and you shouldn't be expected to reply personally to all, and you close friends will understand

Answer 8

It would be nice to have all of them answered, but that wouldn't be good for you. My suggestion is to take a couple of different responces, and copy those responces so that out of 5 original answers, you have 500

Answer 9

No, not really it's not expected. You thank the people you know by phone, or when you see them, and the rest if you talk to them. When my husband died there were just too many to answer, and too much to do. People understood.

Answer 10

dealing with the loss of a loved one is difficult,but talking about it and sharing the good times with other people will slowly heal the heart and mind and also your soul.take your time even if it takes a year to answer them its still fine.those pple who send them dont expect you to reply them.they were just passing their condolence.