What to Write in a Farewell Card

• 1

  Say their name and mention one specific thing you'll miss. Generic goodbyes feel like a form letter.

• 2

  Celebrate the new role, not just the old one. "Lucky team" is a small phrase that means a lot to someone starting over.

• 3

  Skip the inside jokes if it's a group card — they'll fly past anyone else who reads it.

• 4

  Keep it forward-looking. "It won't be the same without you" is fine; "I have no idea how this place will function" is a lot.

• 5

  If you actually want to stay in touch, say so explicitly and include your contact info. Vague "keep in touch" rarely turns into anything.

• 6

  A two-sentence farewell sent at the right moment beats a paragraph that arrives the day after their last day.

When a peer is moving to a new company or team.

• “It's been a real pleasure working with you. Their gain is our loss — please don't be a stranger.”
• “I've learned more from working next to you than from any training I've ever taken. Wishing you everything good at the new place.”
• “You made this job better just by being part of it. Go absolutely crush the next one.”
• “Working with you has been one of the best parts of my time here. Keep me posted on everything.”
• “Some coworkers you'll forget the moment they're gone. You will absolutely not be one of them.”
• “Thank you for the laughs, the help and the patience when I had no idea what I was doing. Good luck at the new gig.”
• “If anyone deserves a fresh challenge, it's you. Excited to see what you do next.”
• “Goodbyes are easier when you're sure the new place is lucky. They are. Cheers.”

When a manager or leader is moving on.

• “Thank you for being the kind of manager who actually made it easier to do good work. That's rare. I'll carry it with me.”
• “You gave me room to take risks and quietly covered for me when I needed it. I noticed. Thank you for everything.”
• “The team you built here isn't going anywhere — which is the highest compliment anyone can pay a leader. Good luck at the next place.”
• “I'm a better professional because I worked for you. Wishing you the best in the next chapter.”
• “You leave us better than you found us. That's the gold standard. Thank you.”
• “Whatever team gets you next is in for something good. Please don't forget us when we're trying to email you in two months.”

When the goodbye is geographic — a friend or coworker moving to a new city.

• “We are heartbroken and excited for you at the same time. Please send updates. Please come back and visit. Please be happy out there.”
• “The new city has no idea what's coming. Go enjoy every coffee shop and let us know when we can come visit.”
• “Moving across the country is brave. So is everything else about you. Good luck, my friend.”
• “You are taking a piece of our weekly routine with you. We'll figure out a new one — but yours will always be the original.”
• “A new zip code doesn't change anything about how much we care about you. Go thrive.”
• “Enjoy the new place. Build a new community. And then please tell us how it went, in detail, repeatedly.”
• “You'll be missed terribly. Also: there's a guest room here whenever you want it.”

For the colleague who'll appreciate a joke on the way out.

• “Goodbye! We'll definitely tell the next person you were the reason every printer worked.”
• “We're throwing you a farewell party in the form of redistributing your responsibilities. You're welcome.”
• “Don't worry, we'll keep your seat warm for about two days, and then someone less competent will take it.”
• “Please remember us when you're famous, rich, or just doing slightly better than us.”
• “The bad news is you're leaving. The good news is we'll finally finish the snacks you wouldn't share.”
• “Your Slack status is officially "out of office (forever)." Goodbye and best of luck.”
• “We tried to talk HR into a clause that prevents you from leaving. They said no. So: good luck out there.”
• “If the new job ever asks why you left, just tell them "better lighting." That's our story too.”

When you actually need to say what you mean.

• “I'm a little surprised by how hard this hits. You've meant more to my time here than you probably realise. Please don't be a stranger.”
• “Some coworkers become real friends, and you're one of the rare ones. Wishing you the very best — and a long lunch together very soon.”
• “There's a short list of people I've been lucky to work with. You're at the top of it.”
• “Goodbye is a strange word for someone who isn't really going to be out of my life. Talk soon.”
• “The thing I'll miss most isn't a project or a meeting — it's the version of work that includes you in it.”
• “Thank you for being so good to me when I was new and didn't know anyone. I owe you. I won't forget it.”