everything sounds better on a doille

Such sweet words, made even sweeter with this handcut doille by CrystalT, who takes custom orders. Turn your words of encouragement into something that can be framed (or at least beautify a comforting cup of tea.)

Weeping Willows

Weeping Willow sympathy card by Anemone Letterpress

We grew up with a weeping willow in our backyard. I loved getting tangled in the low-hanging branches, I would hide beneath it, and wrap myself up in the green tendrils, making it almost impossible to escape. I've since learned that the weeping willow was a Victorian symbol for mourning.


Here's a few contemporary versions of the weeping willow. First, an organic cotton weeping willow pillow by Enhabitan:


Weeping Willow Hand Dyed Batik Infant T-Shirt by Potomac River Goods:


Weeping Willow Rubber Stamp by Wood Cellar Graphics:

Remembrance Tree Papers

Trees have always been connected to our sense of life as well as loss. For the Victorians, specific trees had specific messages, from the grief of the weeping willow to the weathered yet resilient oak. Throughout the generations and across cultures, the tree represents the wellspring of life.

That’s why Remembrance Tree Papers seems like such a timeless and inspired concept. This company creates hand-crafted memorial items out of 100% recycled paper – from Memorial Bookmarks, Guest Registers and Service Invitations. Preserving the life of trees while remembering the life we’ve lost.

My favorite item is the Thank You Card, which comes with embedded wildflower seeds. The card can be planted, bringing forth flowers, a simple reminder of the love and sympathy that sustains us. What a lovely idea!

When in mourning, it’s important to be reminded of regeneration. In this spirit, Remembrance Tree Papers (along with Trees for the Future) will plant a tree in honor of your loved one when you order their memorial stationery products. It’s a gesture that benefits the environment and future generations.

Tree of Life Pendant by Val Vanias Art

Sympathy Print

I am quite fond of this Sympathy Print I'm So Sorry For Your Loss by Scottish artist Suzanne Wolcott. At 8" x 10", it's more than a card. The image conveys a sense of sorrow, avoiding those anxious words of encouragement when what we really need is to just be sad and grieve.

Honestly ...

Here's a sympathy card that gets right to the point.

Sympathy Wings

This is a sympathy card with a sweet little souvenir.

Created by Art Mind, the written message is simply "With Sympathy" but the little handmade wooden wings, add an enduring message of hope that'll last long after the sympathy cards are stowed away.

Sympathy Prints & Cards

I just love these sympathy prints and cards by Yardia, they feature quotes from my beloved Victorian heroines, models of stoic strength and perseverance despite hardships of the heart. This violet Charlotte Bronte sympathy card is one of my favorites.


I also love this sentimental, Victorian Valentine inspired Forget Me Not original drawing. I think the sentiment can be applied as a daily reminder for all those we love.

Bracelet Cards

Here's a new one, cards with three lives! Created by Unusual Birthday Cards on Etsy, these handmade creations begin as a written sentiment - sympathy and well wishes. The leather band that holds the card together can then be worn as a bracelet, as modern mourning jewelry. And when the bracelet gives way, it can be used as a bookmark.


This is a great way to extend our sympathy beyond a card, which typically sits on a mantel for a few days ... a short (and literal) shelf life. I also like the fact that this sentiment has multiple incarnations, evolving in time, just like our memories. Great idea!

Plantable Sympathy Cards

Here's a lovely idea that's both eco-friendly and poetic - sympathy cards made from plantable paper. Created by Greetings That Grow on Etsy, these cards (and envelopes) are embedded with a variety of organic flowering seeds, sure to bring a bevy of hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden.


This is a terrific concept for so many reasons. When we lose someone we love, we receive many sympathy cards. But do we really want to save them? By planting these cards, the sentiments are made manifest by the return of lovely flowers. Although we may have lost someone, we are reminded how life goes on, and how beautiful it can be.

Greetings That Grow also offers plantable tags/favors that could be given out at a service. Appropriately enough, the seeds contained in the favors are Forget Me Nots.


Please contact Greetings That Grow for custom orders.

Go Ahead and Cry

What do you give someone who is going through loss? Flowers are beautiful, but they don't last. And their inevitable wilting is unfortunate, a depressing reminder of life's temporality.

Giving someone a journal is an extremely thoughtful gift. This journal by Seattle-based Compendium is a perfect example. Journals can be like a paper shoulder to cry on, a place to express all those crazy emotions. This pocket notebook has on its cover "Remember, the universe is friendly and life is on your side."


I also love Compendium's sympathy cards. This one has a quote from Jileen Russell: "Go ahead and cry. I'll catch your tears." Inside the card, "I'm here for you." Lovely.

Handmade Sympathy Cards

Forget Hallmark. It's time to rethink how we let people know they're in our thoughts. These cards from Oblation Papers & Press in Portland, Oregon, are uniquely sweet yet modern.