Am I obliagted to send a sympathy card or make donation when co-worker's relative passes?

Say a co-worker's grandmother passed away. The co-worker did not inform me and I didn't know it until the co-worker was absent from the job and I saw the obit in the newspaper. I feel awkward now. I was not invited to either the wake or the funeral and as far as I know, no one else from work was either. No one from work has mentioned doing a group "thing." Should I send a sympathy card, flowers, or make a donation? Am I obligated to do ANYTHING?
Am I obliagted to send a sympathy card or make donation when co-worker's relative passes?
You're not obligated to do anything, no. However, that said, it would be a very thoughtful gesture to get a sympathy card (no donation or flowers) to have sitting on their desk or in their work mailbox for them to open when they return to work. If you're not close enough to the co-worker to feel comfortable getting a card, then when they return and you speak with them for the first time, you could offer your condolences; simply say "I'm sorry for your recent loss" or something like that.
Reply:When you see her, "I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother passing, are you doing okay". Is enough
Reply:I would...send a card..or leave one on her desk at work, even though YOU JUST FOUND OUT!! It just is a nice gesture!!! But no, you are NOT obligated to do anything...
Reply:If you were not informed of the death, then you are not obligated to make any large donations or send any gift. However, it is a very thoughtful gesture to get a sympathy card and ask your co-workers to sign their names. When your mourning co worker returns to work and is given the card, it will make a lasting impression that the people they work with care about them.
Reply:You aren't obligated to do a darn thing. When the co-worker comes back from work, and if the right opportunity comes up, you can tell them you are sorry for thier loss, but other than that -nada. Unless you want to do something that is, and then I would say a card would be appropriate.
Reply:No you aren't obligated to do a thing. It's up to you the most I would do is a sympathy card.



My husband's father died in January and the boss's secretary collected money from everyone at work and was suppose to send flowers but instead she pocketed the money!
Reply:You are not obligated to send flowers or anything else. Now had this been your co-worker's spouse or child - that would be a different matter. Most definitely flowers from the office would be in order.



However, it would be a kind gesture for you to buy a card for everyone in the office to sign and then leave it on her desk.

A simple "with sympathy" card is what a couple of dollars? Petty cash will take care of that.
Reply:No need to send/give a card or flower. No one knew about it. lf you felt awkward now that you know, you can give a small donation. lt will be appreciated.