What to Write in a Sympathy Card

A handwritten card is a sweet and simple gesture that can make a big difference to someone going through a health struggle.

Taking the time to actually write something by hand shows how much you care, and can be a memento that your loved one can look back on. If you’ve ever smiled re-reading an old card, you’ll know that warm and fuzzy feeling. 

In this article, we share messages, quotes and more that you can send to a friend who is sick, with the hope of making their day a little brighter. 

Make the Card Personal

There is truly no one like your loved one. Make your card a testament to that by including unique touches.

Oftentimes, including a personal memory in your card can make it even more special. Jot down one of your favorite funny or touching stories, or even just a word or phrase that reminds you of them. 

You can also include other personal touches, like printed photos of you two together, or signatures from friends, family or coworkers. If your loved one has children or grandchildren, you can include hand drawn pictures and notes from the kids; they’ll certainly be a precious keepsake. 

So often, worrying about saying the wrong thing can keep us from saying anything at all. Worried about saying the wrong thing? Consider these suggestions: What People Mean to Say When the Wrong Words Come Out.

No matter which idea you choose, tailoring the card to your loved one’s interests and memories will make it all the more special. 

Include Get Well Wishes

When you write your card, you may want to incorporate a few heartfelt messages to show them how much you care. Here are a few examples:

• “I am thinking of you.”
• “Any time you need to talk, I’ll listen.”
• “I miss you.”
• “Lean on me; that’s what friends are for.”
• “I am praying for you and your loved ones to stay strong.”
• “I care about you.”
• “You mean so much to me.”
• “You’re doing great.”
• “Nothing can stop you; get well soon!”
• “Sending healing energy your way.”
• “Wishing you a very speedy recovery!”
• “I hope you feel better very soon.”
• “I love you!”
• “You are not alone; we are with you and supporting you all along the way.”
• “You are so strong; I am amazed at how unbelievably powerful you are.”

You can end the card with a simple message like, “With love,” “Wishing you health,” “Take the best of care,” or “I’ll see you soon.”

We also understand that if your loved one is terminally ill, some of these “get well soon” messages may not be appropriate. For those cases, we have a post to help you find the words: How to Say Goodbye to a Loved One When You Don’t Know What to Say. 

Share a Thoughtful Get Well Quote

You can always include a quote to go inside your card. Here are a few of our favorite get-well quotes, selected from our 22 Quotes About Hope and Healing.

• “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” – Christopher Reeve 
• “All our infirmities, whatever they are, are just opportunities for God to display his gracious work in us.” – C. H. Spurgeon
• When you go through deep waters I will be with you.” – Isaiah 43:2
• “If there’s life, there is hope.” – Stephen Hawking
• “The forces that are for you are greater than the forces against you.” – Joel Osteen

Support Beyond the Card

A card is a beautiful way to show you care, but if you’re looking for another way to show support, check out the ideas below. 

Tip: You can even offer to help with these in the card itself!

• Send a thoughtful gift. You can always bring a present to go with your card! A gift card to their favorite restaurant, flowers or an entertaining book are all great options. Check out these get well soon gift ideas for more inspiration.
• Helping out with errands. When you’re sick, garnering up the energy to do day-to-day errands can be exhausting, if not impossible. To support your loved one in a meaningful way, offer to help out with some of these tasks. Doing the laundry, walking the dog, picking the kids up from school or mowing the lawn can make a world of difference.
• Offer financial support: Either with a donation, helping out with expenses like hospital bills, or starting a fundraiser for them. 
• Share encouragement on their CaringBridge page. Hearts and comments on a loved one’s CaringBridge journal entries/profile can be a powerful message of encouragement and love. And if your loved one doesn’t have a CaringBridge and may find it helpful, consider starting a site for them below:

If you’re looking for more ideas to help out, here are 9 ways to comfort and support a friend.

Start a CaringBridge Site

When you’re going through a health journey, you have a lot on your plate. CaringBridge replaces the time-consuming task of sharing your health news over and over. It’s a free, easy to use online journal for sharing health information with your family and friends.