The Thank You Note You've probably received many expressions of caring from friends, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances during your time of grief.   Writing thank you notes after the funeral may feel like an overwhelming task, but consider the following:  It is not required that you write thank you notes to everyone who attended the funeral or visitation.  However, notes are generally sent to those who provided additional gestures of caring such as sending flowers, making donations to a charity or organization, providing food, answering telephone calls, helping organize paperwork, babysitting, arranging transportation for visitors or any other offerings of support.    It is also customary to send thank you notes to those who participated in the funeral service such as pallbearers and the clergy.    Thank you notes are generally handwritten and mailed within a few weeks of the funeral service. They can be written on note-size stationery with matching envelopes.      (French has this stationery available.)  If you're feeling overwhelmed during this time, ask family or friends to help you.  A single note may be written on behalf of the entire family and signed "The Smith Family" or with something similar. Thank you notes do not have to be long.  A few sentences expressing your sentiments are the only requirement.    Consider the following examples of appreciation: -  "Your sympathy in our recent loss will long be remembered.  Thank you for all     you did during that time."  -  "Your sympathy helped all of us through this sad time.  Thank you for your kind    letter." -  "Thank you for the beautiful flowers that expressed your sympathy during this    difficult time." Additional expressions of appreciation can include how much their presence at the funeral service meant to you and your family.  If they are especially close, you can mention how much it has always meant to have them share in both the good and bad times.  Thank you notes can seem like one more burden or chore that simply must be completed after the funeral of a loved one.  If that's true for you, take whatever time you need before writing your notes and let others help you.