Widows & Widowers Support Group

I would save a couple of mass cards for keepsake and throw the rest away. Although, the thank you notes is a good way to use them.
As for the sympathy cards go, maybe save them. I am all about downsizing these days, even though I still have Mark's sympathy cards for now....someday they may get tossed.
I have been preparing for a sale for the past month of his stuff and mine. 34 years is a long time when living in the same house.
Have a good day. Katie

I bought a huge box and put all things like that in it. RIght now, I still have not gone back and looked at anything, BUT sometime in the future, you may. THat way, they are out of the way and everything is alll today. I have never looked at anything yet and it has been 14 months. That may be more than you want to do , but I thought that someday I might want to look at the registry book, cards, flowers, etc,

Dear KipB, it's customary in the Catholic faith to have holy Mass said for the repose of the soul. This is akin to giving a gift--not quite the same as a consolation card, though the gift of having the Mass said is meant to be consoling. Whether you write a thank you card or not in return, well, that's entirely up to you. It isn't expected. I think I wrote a few thank you cards when my husband died but I didn't answer all the cards. I just wasn't able to, though I greatly appreciated the gift.
Peace and grace...

Regarding the Mass cards, I would definitely write a thank you note for any of those you received, since usually it cost the person money to have the Mass said; it's like thanking them for flowers or a donation to a charity. As for the other sympathy cards, I think you know if you want to respond or not. It is my understanding that ordinary sympathy cards do not require a response from you. As for tossing, the cards, how do you usually handle your other cards? I recently tossed out 15 years worth of Christmas cards we had received, and in the process, decided to throw the sympathy cards too, which went back to last December. Hope this helps. laurabp

I bought a plastic box and stored everything there; signature book, newspaper obituary, funeral cards, mass cards, and sympathy cards. Can't part with them. I remember receiving cards and just glancing over them, with no connection or feeling. I'm sure if I looked at them now, it would be the same response. Maybe one day I can open the box and really appreciate everything.

I myself, might keep the ones from people that were special to me. And if you aren't up to going through them right now, then don't. But I do understand about not keeping another box of things you may never go through again. I'm a less is more person myself.