To perform a temple ordinance for a deceased family member, you print a family ordinance card at home and take it to the temple. Previously, these cards would be returned to you so you could use it to perform the next ordinance.
In 2020, the Temple Department implemented a policy of not returning family name cards unless requested. The purpose of this policy was to improve recording accuracy and minimize the duplication of ordinances. Since implementing this policy, recording accuracy has increased significantly, and there have been fewer incidents of ordinance duplication.
If you really want to keep a family name card, you can request at the temple that they return it to you after the completed ordinance has been recorded by temple workers.
You can verify the completion of ordinances at FamilySearch.org or on the Family Tree app.
My husband died in January. Upon his death, his FamilySearch account was locked and I was unable to access individuals he had reserved and we were working on. I suppose the ordinance cards we hadn’t printed will eventually ‘time out’? Cards we had printed I can work on but I must get the cards back as I no longer am able to print them due to his locked account. I requested a card back after completing an endowment and the office was confused and I didn’t receive it back (they said I should have marked it with a red R but this was new to me). Now when her sister’s endowments are done I may or may not be able to seal them all to their parents (this one card is missing). Still trying to resolve this issue. There’s not enough clarity and consistency to this issue now leaving reserved family members waiting.