The History of Sympathy Greeting Cards

Sympathy cards were introduced in the 19th century and since then have become a popular standard of expressing condolences for everything from the death of a relative, to the death of a pet, to the loss of a job. This type of card serves as a way for everyone to share emotions during a difficult time. However, the purpose and design of sympathy cards have evolved over the years.

Early sympathy greeting cards were mainly used as an announcement of one’s passing and were sent by the bereaved family. Today, these cards are sent by friends and acquaintances to show their support after hearing of the death. Also, the sympathy card category now encompasses additional situations such as getting a divorce or other unfortunate circumstances.

Reflecting the original purpose of sympathy cards, phrases such as “in loving memory of” or “in affectionate remembrance of” were used in the past. Common expressions on modern cards include “In Deepest Sympathy,” “Thinking of You,” and “Our Condolences.” Then, as now, some cards were plain and simple while others were more ornate in their designs. In the early days, images of tombstones with names and epitaphs were used and the cards were designed in black and white. Today, these have been replaced by more peaceful imagery such as flowers, oceanscapes and rainbows using pastels or bright coloring. The words “dead” and “death” are seldom mentioned in order to show respect, and tact.

Today’s sympathy greeting cards can reflect religious beliefs, ethnicity or age-specificity but the standard of simple, genuine, heartfelt expressions of compassion and understanding remain. Meaningful to both the sender and receiver, the sympathy card helps to reinforce a feeling of support, community and caring.