Notifying Strangers of Someones Passing

[WildChild@Heart]

My Dad passed away several weeks ago. He and I lived in different parts of the state. He had already made his final arrangements with the Neptune Society and wanted no services.
Since it is a 4 hour drive back to his house I had his mail forwarded to my home. As bills and things come in I contact companies and notify them of his passing and take care of any neccesary details. Here is where I could use some suggestions......I have started receiving Christmas cards that were sent to my Dad from friends and acquaintences who have no way of knowing that he has passed. Some of these are poeple that I have heard him mention over the years and others are not. I feel that I should send them a note to let them know, but honestly I'm so exhausted from trying to deal with my own grief and taking care of his estate that I just can't think of a good way to tell them.

[Rei-chan]

{HUGS} I am so sorry for your loss.

I would say, based on my own experiences when my mother passed away, that when you are ready, write out some short notes stating what has happened.  I don't think it would be bad form or anything to wait until your grief is not so fresh to do this, and I am sure that your father's friends will understand.  Just keep it short and simple, and thank them for the card on your father's behalf. 

[Chocolate Cake]

I would find it exhausting to have to write the same thing over and over again in reply to each of these cards.  Maybe you could type up a brief paragraph regarding his passing that you could sign (include your address) and mail.  If there was an obit, it might be nice to include a copy of it in each envelope.

If this is beyond what you feel you could do, consider contacting the bereavement committee at your church.  They help with these kinds of things all the time.

[JoyinVirginia]

YOu could type or handwrite this out or something similar:
I received your holiday card for my father Mr. Child. It is my sad duty to inform you that my father passed away November x. His obituary can be viewed at www.blank.com (if his funeral home had a web obituary). Sincerely, Wild Child

Sorry for your loss. Hope this helps a bit.
Joy in Virginia

[Lisbeth]

I'm so sorry for your loss.  <<<hugs>>>

When you feel ready to respond, you might send a note saying something like, "Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. Name, On behalf of our family, I would like to thank you very much for your kindness to my father.  He recently passed away, and your good holiday wishes helped to ease our loss.  We would like to wish you a happy holiday and New Year and hope we will continue to have the privilege of hearing from you."

[JoyinVirginia]

I like Keen Readers wording very much! you can type that up and print out a few, or hand write it if not too many cards to respond to.
Joy in Virginia

[andi]

so sorry for your loss.  i agree with several other posters here - a short note of thanks and that he has passed would suffice once you are feeling better yourself.

[jibby]

{{{HUGS}}}  I am very sorry for your loss.

I don't have anything original to add to the advice that's already been given, although I do agree with it.  If there is someone who can help you with notifying your father's friends, please, please, allow them to help.  Remember to take care of you.

[WildChild@Heart]

Thank you all for your hugs and your sympathies. I appreciate so much all of your suggestions and will be using them in my replies.

[scotcat]

I would say, based on my own experiences when my mother passed away, that when you are ready, write out some short notes stating what has happened.  I don't think it would be bad form or anything to wait until your grief is not so fresh to do this, and I am sure that your father's friends will understand.  Just keep it short and simple, and thank them for the card on your father's behalf. 


Very good advice. I wrote letters by hand to people when my Mum died using names and adresses from her Christmas card list, but the infomation I gave depended on how close a friend realtive they were. Some just got the simpler facts of her passing, others got more detail.

[HogwartsAlum]

I have nothing to add to everyone's good advice; I just wanted to give you my condolences.  *HUG*