Very sincerely yours,
Katherine G. Evans.
The Letter of Condolence
A letter of condolence may be written to relatives, close friends, and to those whom we know well. When the recipient of the condolatory message is simply an acquaintance, it is in better taste to send a visiting card with "sincere sympathy." Flowers may or may not accompany the card.
But in any case the letter should not be long, nor should it be crammed with sad quotations and mushy sentiment. Of course, at best, writing a condolence is a nice problem. Do not harrow feelings by too-familiar allusions to the deceased. The letter should be sent immediately upon receiving news of death.
When a card is received, the bereaved family acknowledge it a few weeks later with an engraved acknowledgment on a black-bordered card. A condolatory letter may be acknowledged by the recipient or by a relative or friend who wishes to relieve the bereaved one of this task.
Formal acknowledgment engraved on card
Mrs. Gordon Burroughs and Family
Gratefully acknowledge
Your kind expression of sympathy
The cards, however, may be engraved with a space for the name to be filled in:
_____________________________
Gratefully acknowledge
_____________________________
Kind expression of sympathy