🌈 The Cost of Cards

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

 

— Jane Goodall

Why Cards Matter

We’re so grateful that people love our products. In particular, our cards make a difference and are consistently rated five stars, not only as part of the Rainbow Box but also as stand-alone expressions of care.

Did we know that when we started? Not exactly. But we hoped to make a meaningful difference, and to help others do the same.

What people appreciate most is that they’re different. The artwork, the paper weight, the feel in the hand: all of it says, this is special. Especially in a moment of loss, the card itself quietly affirms that the grief matters. Every single loss matters. You and your grief matter to us.

What Clinics Are Saying

When Cost Becomes a Consideration

It’s a fair question, especially for larger hospitals. One recent review summed it up perfectly:

The more you purchase, the more total cost matters- that’s the purchasing perspective. But there’s another equally valid lens: the value perspective. Does the significance of a card diminish simply because you send it more often? Of course not. Consistency amplifies impact. Providing comfort at scale elevates your standard of care.

A Practical Example

An in-home euthanasia (IHE) provider might perform around 10 procedures each week. She sends every client a small Rainbow Box- at $25 plus $5.90 postage. That’s roughly $15,000 per year.

Yes, that’s a real investment. But each client’s loss is personal- the number of cases doesn’t lessen anyone’s grief. By systematizing aftercare, or using a service like Rainbow Box, clinics maintain personalization at scale. And at an average procedure fee of $300–$400, this level of care represents less than 10% of the service price.

The return? Hours saved, consistent delivery, and an enduring bond with every client served.

Why a Card Matters More Than You Think

For a clinic, euthanasia may be part of the weekly rhythm. For a pet owner, it’s a life-changing moment they’ll remember forever.

In many cases, a sympathy card is the only tangible reminder they receive from their veterinarian after saying goodbye. The right card, chosen with care, can bring comfort during the difficult weeks and months that follow, when the absence feels most profound.

The Perspective Shift

So, does the cost of a card matter? Yes, but not in the way you might think.

• Bulk cards from a big-box store: ~$0.30 each + postage ≈ $1 per client. For a 3-doctor clinic with 250–300 euthanasias/year: ≈ $300 annually (~$25/month).
• Premium cards (larger format, custom artwork, premium paper): may triple per-card cost ≈ $3 per client.

In the context of overall care, those extra ~$2 are a small investment with an outsized impact, and an opportunity to transform a routine gesture into something deeply memorable.

At the very least, send a card — any card. The only card that truly costs too much is the one that never gets sent.

Without it, a grieving client may feel unseen at a moment when they need your compassion most.

Why It’s Worth It

Think of a birthday gift that meant the world to you. Not because it was expensive, but because someone truly thought of you.

Clients can sense the same care in a sympathy card. Among the day’s mail, the envelope with the handwritten address and real stamp stands out before it’s even opened. It’s the opposite of mass communication: it’s human, personal, and deeply appropriate to the gravity of the moment.

And when you go that extra mile in a moment of grief, you don’t just send a card, you create an ambassador for your clinic.

Returning to Jane Goodall’s Words

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

If you already believe in the power of that difference, every part of the Rainbow Box was designed to help you deliver it: beautifully, consistently, and without adding to your workload. You keep the personal touch, save hours each week, and know that every client receives a gesture worthy of the bond they’ve lost.

By making this deliberate choice, you’re doing more than sending a card- you’re making a difference.

If you’d like help evaluating your client-aftercare process or want to see how upgrading your card might fit into your workflow, feel free to reach out.