Sympathy Card Etiquette

[WineWithAView]

A neighbour of my parents' sadly passed away a few days ago. Quite unexpectedly.

I'll put a sympathy card through the door. We're at my parents tomorrow but I'm wondering whether it's appropriate to deliver a sympathy card on Christmas Eve? Or wait until after Christmas?

I might be overthinking this... Any thoughts?

They will probably be in shock, I'd wait until after Boxing day to let them absorb things a bit.

Thanks @Frances0911

Having been in this situation a few Christmases ago I would say deliver the card. I found it comforting to know people were thinking of us.

Deliver is ASAP. They'll be grieving regardless of the date. Grief and shock won't go away for Christmas.

It’s always better to show you care. Can empathise with loss at Christmas.
Follow up with a visit after Christmas maybe.

Deliver it now. Well, tomorrow.
Their grief won't be 'on hold' until Christmas is over.

Deliver it now, but put on the envelope, Sympathy Card so they know that it is not a Christmas card... I had friends who could not open Christmas cards but were comforted by the Sympathy card. Thank you for your gesture, it will mean a lot for the family, especially if you add a little memory of your neighbour.

Totally agree

Deliver the card when you get there. I can't imagine much worse than thinking the whole country is celebrating Christmas and no one is thinking of me in my grief.
You can acknowledge the date with something like "thinking of you in your time of grief, especially at this time".
Depending how well you know then, I'd recommend you knock on the door and speak to them when you give the card. Grief is so lonely. Even a two-minute chat on the doorstep can be of some comfort.

Overthinking! When my father died just before Christmas it was lovely to get cards (I didn't get many, but my mother did) - didn't care when. Seems appropriate to send a card as soon as you hear.

Everyone saying deliver it now, I know we're all different, but my mum died suddenly, and opening cards just a few days later added to my grief. It might sound strange, but I was numb and in shock, and a little in denial. Just seeing the cards coming through the letter box set me off.

Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts on this.

So sorry for those of you who are speaking from experience after losing a loved one. 💕