Funerals can be emotionally exhausting, so don't stress if you're feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of having to write ...

It is peculiar to think that a mass stamped expression -- “Sympathy,” or in the case of letters of thanks, “Thank you” -- is better than the personal, handwritten word.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband recently passed, and I sent thank-you notes to everyone who gave a monetary gift or sent flowers.