Like a Notice on a Wall
This card looks like a memorial poster pinned to a board. A white sheet with a soft shadow sits on a charcoal background, held at the top by a black ribbon, and two more black ribbons cross its lower corners, as if the sheet had been taped up. It is the look of a notice for a community, a school or a workplace, and it suits a short, public message more than a long personal one.
A White Sheet Pinned on Charcoal
The card is 650 x 800 pixels in portrait. The dark background is almost black. On it, a pale grey and white sheet carries a black and white photograph of a heavy set man with a quiet expression, in a dark jacket, standing in a field. A thick black ribbon in a loop is fixed at the top edge. Beneath the photograph, In Loving Memory of is written in a script, then MICHAEL ANDERSON in tall red capitals. The dates are in a black bar with white type: MAY 14, 1968 to MARCH 22, 2026 in the sample.
The message is brief: With heartfelt sorrow, we extend our deepest condolences during this difficult time. A final line says With sincere sympathy, and Daniel Carter in bold. The fonts are Lato, Bebas Neue and Satisfy.
When a Poster Style Works Best
- A school noticing the death of a teacher or a student.
- A workplace announcing the death of a colleague.
- A club or society sharing news of a long term member.
- A community group posting a memorial notice online.
In each case, the card says what happened in a clear, respectful way, and leaves space for people to leave their own messages in comments or on a card.
Writing the Short Message
The message is a single sentence. You can keep it, or add a second one with a specific detail from the group: “Michael coached our junior team for twelve years and will be deeply missed.” Facts like these give the notice weight and show that the group knew the person. Avoid information that might be private, such as the cause of death, unless the family has agreed to share it.
Photograph and Frame
The photograph is wider than it is tall, so it suits a landscape picture. Click it and choose Replace Image. If your photo is vertical, crop it so the face is in the middle. Black and white pictures blend into the monochrome look best, though colour will stand out against the grey sheet.
The Red Name
The name is in red capitals, which is a strong colour for a memorial card. If the red feels too bright for your group, change the text colour to dark grey or navy in the editor. Colour changes affect text only. The ribbons and the sheet are part of the picture and keep their colours.
Posting Online
If you post the card on a website or a group page, add a few lines of text in the post, including information about a service or where to send messages. That avoids crowding the card itself. Keep a copy of the file, in case the family asks for it later.
For a similar black card with a satin ribbon, see the peace and comfort sympathy message card. For a warm, light card, see the with deepest sympathy and care card. More are in condolence templates.
