A Young Face Deserves a Different Card
Not every loss is of someone old. When a young woman or man dies, a soft pastel card can feel wrong to the family. This design is darker and more serious. It is set on a charcoal brick wall, and a golden frame holds a large photograph, with bright orange flowers in two corners like a small act of remembrance. The wording is short and kind, and it fits a person whose life was cut short.
Dark Brick, Gold Frame, Orange Flowers
The card is 600 x 800 pixels in portrait. The background is a dark grey green brick wall with soft shading. At the top, a landscape photograph of a young woman with long dark hair, in a dark jacket, sits inside a gold rounded rectangle frame. A large orange cosmos flower overlaps the top right corner of the frame, and a second flower fills the lower left corner. Below, In Memory of [Name] is written in a golden script. The message reads: A beautiful soul, forever remembered. May love and memories bring you peace and comfort. Then With sympathy, and [Your Name] in gold. The type is Dancing Script and PT Serif.
Fill the Two Brackets
- Replace [Name] with the full name or the name the person was known by.
- Replace [Your Name] with your own name or the group that is sending the card.
The card has no date line, which is a good choice if the family prefers not to share dates, or if you are writing as a friend. If you wish, add the dates in a small line under the name.
Replacing the Photograph
The frame is wider than it is tall, so choose a landscape photograph or crop a portrait to fit. Click the picture and choose Replace Image. A photograph where the person is looking warmly toward the camera, outdoors, will suit the mood. If you only have a vertical portrait, place it so that the face is in the centre and let the edges crop.
Wording for a Young Person’s Death
People often struggle for words here. A few phrases that tend to help: “We are heartbroken for you.” “She was so full of life.” “I will remember his laugh.” Avoid explanations or comparisons. If the cause of death is private, do not mention it. Keep the message short and personal, and let the family set the tone.
Friends and Classmates
Friends of young people often share cards online. If you are a friend, add a short memory under the main message, such as “Thank you for the best summer of my life.” If the card is from a school or a team, add the name of the group. Make sure the family is comfortable before you post anything publicly.
Using the Card Respectfully Online
- Ask the family before sharing a photograph.
- Check the name spelling and the pronouns.
- Avoid tagging people who might see it by surprise.
- Consider sending it privately to the family first.
For another dark card with a candle, see the condolence message card with a candle. For a softer design, see the gentle remembrance and support card. More are in condolence templates.
