Writing a message of condolence is never a welcomed task. Many people struggle to find the right words to express how they feel. It can be tricky to balance showing how sorry you are whilst also trying to avoid saying the wrong thing. Forming the perfect condolence message can be a challenging and emotional task, so we’re here to help you put your feelings into words with these examples of condolence messages.
Whether it’s a colleague who lost a parent or a friend coping with the sudden passing of a partner, sharing a sincere and heartfelt message of condolence is often the best thing you can do for them in that moment. It’s easy to feel helpless when you’re watching a loved one go through grief, but letting them know that they aren’t alone and you’re thinking of them is the best thing you can do.
When a loved one passes away, sending sincere messages of condolence can be a good way to support grieving family and friends. Expressing your sympathy with thoughtful words can provide comfort in these difficult times. Here, we will discuss some advice on writing heartfelt condolences so you can offer your love and support at this time.
By considering the situation, carefully choosing your words, and following proper etiquette when sending condolence messages, you can craft a meaningful message that conveys sympathy and understanding. Writing such an important note can help bring peace to those affected by their loss. We hope this article will serve as a guide for creating heartfelt condolences during this trying time.
Why are condolence messages important?
Condolence messages are important because they provide comfort to the grieving person. Through these messages, we can express our sympathy and offer support during difficult times. A heartfelt message of condolence can help alleviate the suffering and remind someone that they aren’t alone in their grief. Even if you don’t have many words, these messages show that you care and can provide some solace in moments of sorrow. Such simple gestures may be small, but they often mean so much when someone is mourning the death of a loved one.
We can show our compassion and acknowledge their pain by sending a sincere condolence message. It’s also an opportunity for us to honor the memory of those who have passed away and remember them fondly. Ultimately, these messages are a way to let others know that we are thinking of them during their time of loss.
If you’re not sure what to say in a condolence message, it’s often helpful to keep it simple and sincere. You can express your condolences by saying that you’re sorry for their loss, or you can share a memory of the person who has passed away. It’s also common to offer words of support, such as telling the grieving person that you’re there for them if they need anything. Whatever you choose to say, make sure that your message comes from the heart. Condolence messages can be difficult to write, but they can provide much-needed comfort during a difficult time.
Do’s and don’ts for condolence messages
It can be hard to strike a balance when it comes to writing a sincere condolence message. Many people are often afraid that they will say the wrong thing, so it’s good to be mindful of a few tips when it comes to the etiquette of sending condolence messages.
Do’s
Here are our tips for the right actions to take.
1) Reach out to them.
Express your sympathy and support for their loss, even if it is a brief message. Often, people avoid sending a message for fear of saying the wrong thing, but it’s always better to reach out to someone when they’re going through a grief period. Keep your message short and sweet if you’re struggling, but make sure you do say something.
2) Share memories of the deceased.
This can help ease the family’s grief. Just because that person is no longer with us, it doesn’t mean they never existed. Tell them your favorite memory or of a time when they helped you in need. If you never knew the deceased on a personal level, then try to recall a memory where your loved one talked about them. Anything is better than nothing.
3) Offer practical help.
This could involve bringing food or assisting with arrangements. It can be the most devastating moment of people’s lives that they often can’t think about cooking, cleaning, or running errands. Being a practical help is one of the best things you can do for them whilst they’re still processing your emotions. You might not be able to take away the pain that they are feeling, but you can definitely help with the food shop, taking the dog for a walk, or dropping their kids off at school. Every little helps.
4) Highlight how much the deceased was cherished.
Share words, letting them know how much the deceased was appreciated. It might seem obvious to you, but it’s important to reiterate how much you loved that person and how fantastic they were. Or, if you didn’t know the deceased personally, reiterate how cherished and loved they were by your friend.
5) Offer emotional support.
Let them know you are there to lend an ear when they need it. They might not be in a position to talk yet, and they might still be in shock. But letting them know they are not on their own and that you are there to talk and to listen whenever they are ready is a great help.
Don’ts
Here are some tips on what to avoid.
1) Don’t put it down to fate.
Avoid saying things like, “It was meant to be” or, “Everything happens for a reason.” These phrases may come across as insensitive and can make people feel worse. When you’ve just experienced a devastating loss, you don’t want to hear that this has happened for a reason. It feels like there is no reason on earth that this should have happened. It’s best to avoid these phrases entirely.
2) Don’t liken it to other people’s losses.
Avoid comparing their loss to that of other people. It can appear dismissive or invalidating of their grief. You might want to do this to give them perspective, but it can feel as if you’re missing the point of their loss entirely.
3) Don’t ask too many questions or probe for details.
Give the family space to grieve in their own way and on their own schedule. They could still be in shock, so asking them for more information could be too much for their brain to cope with. If you’re concerned about the details and want to know more for your own reasons, try to find this out without concerning yourself with the main family members/closest friends. It could be too much for them to deal with.
4) Don’t forget to follow up.
It’s important to let them know you are still thinking of them during this difficult time. Many people will send an initial condolence message to say how sorry they are, but life then continues, and they forget to follow up. For the person who is dealing with a loss, their life could have changed overnight, and grief is a life-long journey they have entered. Check-in with them and keep offering help.
5) Don’t be inauthentic.
Try not to be overly sentimental or offer empty platitudes, as they can come across as insincere. A simple “I’m sorry for your loss” is often enough. Too much detail or emotion could be overwhelming for the person receiving the message. Remember, at this difficult time in their life, it’s about them, not you.
General condolence messages
1. I am so sorry for your loss. Your loved one will always be remembered and cherished in our hearts.
2. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
3. Do not hesitate to call or text if you need anything. I’m here for you.
4. ______ was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed. Please let me know if there’s anything at all I can support you with.
5. I know you are very busy right now, but I wanted you to know I’m thinking of you. I am very sorry for your loss.
6. Losing someone we love is never easy, but please know that their memory will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew them best.
7. Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am for your loss. May the love and support of those around you provide comfort during this trying time.
8. How can I help you during this time? Whether you need me to clean the house or just need me to check up on you every few days, I’m here for you.
9. I know you must be feeling completely devastated, but when the time is right, I am here to help you in whichever way I can. I’m so sorry this has happened. Sending all my love.
10. There are no words to describe this loss. I am so sorry. I’m thinking of you always and sending all my love your way. Please let me know if you need me to come over and help in any way possible.
Loss of mother condolence messages
11. I am deeply sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. She was an amazing woman who will always be remembered and cherished.
12. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your mother. Her love, warmth, and kindness will always be remembered.
13. Losing a mother is one of life’s greatest challenges, but please know that you are not alone during this difficult time. Sending you all my love and support.
14. Your mother was such an incredible person who touched so many lives in her own special way. May her memory bring you comfort and peace during this tough time.
15. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to lose a mother – someone who has been there through thick and thin. Please know that I am here for you if you need anything at all.
16. Your mother’s legacy will live on through the love and memories she shared with everyone she knew. My thoughts are with you as you navigate through this challenging time.
17. Your mother was truly one-of-a-kind – a beautiful soul that lit up everyone’s world around her. Sending my deepest sympathies to you and your family during this trying time.
18. I remember how much your amazing mother used to love us, take care of us, and be there for all of us. We will always consider her part of our family. I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss.
19. The love of a mother can never be replaced. You carry her in your heart always. I am here for you always. All my love.
20. Your mother’s kindness was contagious. I have so many fond memories with her, and I know she would have been so proud of the person you are today. I will never forget her.
Loss of father condolence messages
21. Please accept my deepest sympathies on the loss of your father. He was an amazing man who will always be remembered and cherished.
22. Losing a father is one of life’s toughest challenges, but please know that you are not alone during this difficult time. Sending you all my love and support.
23. Your father was such an incredible person who touched so many lives in his own special way. May his memory bring you comfort and peace during this tough time.
24. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing your father, but I’m sure he was a special person because he raised an amazing human being. Wishing you peace and comfort during this unimaginable time.
25. I am sorry for your loss. I know how difficult grief can be. One day, you’re fine, and the next day you aren’t. Please keep me in mind if you find that you need anything at all in the days and weeks ahead. I am here for you.
26. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. No condolence message can express how much your Dad meant to me and how sad I am about your loss.
27. From what I’ve heard, your father was a phenomenal man. What amazing memories you must have. Lean on them to remind you of the joy he brought into all of our lives.
28. I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. I know how proud you were of him. This loss must be hard on the family. We are sending all our love to you during this difficult time.
29. We both know that there are no words I could offer you right now that would allow you relief from the pain. But I would like to try by saying I am here for you. I am with you. I am just a phone call away. You are in my thoughts. And I love you so very much.
30. Your dad’s amazing personality lives on through you. Sending you all the love and support during this difficult time.
Loss of sibling condolence messages
31. Your brother/sister might no longer be here, but s/he will always be with you. I’m here for you however you need it.
32. I wish I could be there with you to offer my condolences in person, but please know that I’m thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
33. Please accept my deepest sympathies on the loss of your sibling. My heart goes out to you and your loved ones during this painful time.
34. Your brother/sister was such an incredible person who touched so many lives in their own special way. May their memory bring you comfort and peace during this tough time.
35. Your sister/brother was one of the kindest people I knew. I will never forget her/him. Please know you’re not alone, and I am here for you in any way you need.
36. I’m so incredibly sorry to hear about the passing of your brother/sister. I have so many grateful memories of ______. I’m really going to miss him/her.
37. What an amazing person and an awful loss. I’m thinking about you and your family day and night, and please know that I am grieving with you.
38. I just want you to know that I love you, and I’m thinking of you during this awful time. Take as much time as you need to process your bereavement. I will be here for you every step of the way should you need a helping hand.
39. I’m so heartbroken to hear about the loss of your brother/sister. He/she was such an incredible person, and we can’t imagine the pain that your heart is feeling right now. Please let us know if we can do anything for you, anything at all.
40. I’m going to be honest and say that I can’t find the right words to say right now. I don’t know how to put into words just how sorry I am for your loss. Please know that I love you, and I am here for you.
Loss of grandparent condolence messages
41. My deepest sympathies as you mourn the loss of your grandmother/grandfather. May fond memories bring peace and comfort during this difficult time. I know how much you loved her/him.
42. I’m so sorry to hear that your grandmother/grandfather has passed away. I can’t imagine how hard that must be for you and your family. If you ever want to talk about him/her, I’d love to hear about him/her.
43. Your grandmother/grandfather was a wonderful person, and it is with great sadness that I learned about their passing away. Please accept my sincerest sympathy for your loss.
44. Please accept my genuine condolences in this difficult time for you and your family. The loss of a grandparent is tough to process. We share your pain and are always here for you.
45. I remember your grandmother/grandfather so well. He/she brought so much joy to our lives, and I will cherish those memories forever. I’m so sorry you’re going through this, but I am here for you every step of the way.
46. Grief is a journey, but please know that you don’t have to go through it alone. You have my support every step of the way. I’ll never forget how much your grandmother/grandfather meant to you.
47. Losing a grandparent we love is never easy, but please know that their memory will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew them best.
48. Your grandparents would be so proud of you. If you need anything at all, just let me know, and I’ll be there.
49. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting your grandmother/grandfather, I want you to know that I’m always here for you. I know she/he/they was/were an amazing person, and they loved you so much.
50. I’m sending all of my love to your family at this difficult time. I know there’s nothing that can ease the pain, but please just know that I’m here for you.
Loss of friend condolence messages
51. I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. My heart goes out to you, and I’m here if you need anything.
52. I’m not sure what to say after such a sudden loss. Just know that I care about you, and I am thinking of you.
53. I was so saddened to hear about your friend’s passing. She/he/they was/were an amazing friend, and I know she/he/they loved you very much.
54. A loss like this is felt by all. A friend as good as ______ is a once-in-a-lifetime blessing. He/she was a special, unique person and will be missed.
55. Your friend was an incredible and unique person, and the news of her/his passing saddened us all. Wishing condolences from our family to yours.
56. I know that you must be going through so much right now, but I just wanted to reach out to let you know that you’re not alone. I’m here to be a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen to anything that you may need to share.
57. My heart goes out to you for the loss of your dear friend. I know how much she/he/they meant to you and how close you were.
58. I know how much time you and ______ spent together and how close you were. You were virtually inseparable, and you loved each other so much. May all your wonderful memories comfort you during this heartbreaking time. I’m here for you no matter what you need.
59. Life can be so tough. Especially during times like this, when I can’t even find the words to say how sorry I am for your loss and the pain you are feeling right now. Please just know that I love you so much, that I am here for you at every hour of the day, and that I would take it all away from you if I could.
60. I’m so incredibly saddened to hear of the loss of your incredible friend. I know he/she loved you so much, and you were lucky to have each other. I’m thinking of you and sending you all the love.
Loss of child condolence messages
61. I am so sorry you had to say goodbye to your beloved child. Please know you are not alone during this challenging time.
62. I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember your daughter’s/son’s smile and how she/he/they lit up a room everywhere you went. I’m here for you every step of the way.
63. My heart breaks for you. I’m here to listen to any stories you may want to share about your son/daughter or if you just need a shoulder to cry on.
64. I know there is nothing I could ever say right now to ease your sorrow. I’m sorry for your loss, and while I can’t take it away, I can promise to be here for you. Please let me know if there’s anything at all I can do at any time.
65. There is nothing more devastating than the loss of a child. I can’t begin to imagine how you must feel, but please know that I’m thinking of you every day, and whatever support you need, I am here to give it.
66. I want you to know that I am here for you during this awful time. I love you, and I know that your child loved you so much. He/she/they was/were a beautiful soul and was so proud to have you as his/her/their parent.
67. Please know that you are never alone. We stand with you during this sadness.
68. I’m so incredibly heartbroken to hear about the loss of ______. I hope you find strength in knowing how much they loved you and how incredible a parent you were to him/her.
69. There is no one in this world like your daughter/son. She/he/they was/were a special person, and she will always be with you. I’m sending you all the love and support.
70. I can’t imagine how you and your family must be feeling right now. I’m coming over tomorrow to help out with anything you need, but please let me know if this is too soon, and I will wait until you’re ready. I love you so much.
Loss of pregnancy condolence messages
71. Please take all the time you need to grieve and heal. Your feelings are valid, and I’m here to support you through it all.
72. The love for your child-to-be was very real, and so is this loss. Please honor whatever feelings you are going through right now and know that you are not alone. We grieve with you.
73. We all shared your hopes and dreams for this baby. Please try to go easy on yourself during this time. I am so sorry for your loss.
74. I can’t begin to imagine the pain you must be going through right now, but please know that you should take all the time you need.
75. We are here for you through every stage of this grief. You are not alone.
76. This is so hard to believe, and I’m so sorry. I’d like to come over to help and support you in any way you need. Just let me know if this is too much right now or if you could do with the help.
77. I know there are no words that can ease your pain. Just know that I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.
78. Losing a pregnancy is a deeply painful experience, but please know that there is hope for healing in the future.
79. Your little one may have been with us for just a short time, but their impact on your life will be immeasurable forever.
80. Although we can never fully understand your pain, please know that we’re here to listen whenever you’re ready to talk about it.
Loss of pet condolence messages
81. I just heard about the loss of your ______. Losing such an important member of the family is never easy.
82. I know you miss your dear cat/dog greatly. She/he/they was/were clearly loved and cared for, and it’s a comfort knowing she lived such an amazing life.
83. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog/cat. I know that they brought such happiness and joy to your life, and I can only imagine how much you’ll miss them.
84. Nothing can ever replace the love of a pet. I’m sending you all the love and support as you mourn the loss of their love.
85. We will always remember your lovable girl/boy. She/he/they was/were so much more than a pet. I know just how much she/he/they meant to you.
86. Please know that I’m here for you during this difficult time. You don’t have to go through this alone.
87. Losing a pet can be just as painful as losing any other loved one. Take all the time you need to grieve and heal.
88. It’s okay to feel sad and upset after losing a pet – they were an important part of your family and life, after all. If you need any help with anything, just let me know.
89. Your pet was lucky to have such an amazing owner like you, who gave them so much love and happiness throughout their life.
90. Although we can never replace the bond you shared with your pet, please know that there are people who care about you deeply and want to support you through this tough time.
What else can you do to help?
Sending a message of condolence is a great way to show your love and support to someone struggling with grief, but just remember that they will be feeling this loss for the rest of their life, so if you can offer further support after sending your message of condolence, then here are some suggestions:
1) Listen and be present.
Let the bereaved individual know that you are available to listen if they want to talk about their loss. Offer them your physical presence and comfort even if they don’t need or want it at this time. Simply being there will show your support and understanding of their grief.
2) Offer practical help.
Ask what specific tasks you can do for them in light of their loss. Perhaps offer to run errands, pick up groceries, take care of the pet(s), drop off meals, or arrange social activities with friends as a distraction from their sorrow.
3) Send cards and notes.
Keep in touch with the bereaved person with words of encouragement, sympathy, and love. Let them know that you are thinking of them throughout their journey of loss. Check-in with their feelings and their grief and keep letting them know how loved they are.
4) Pay tribute to the deceased.
This can be done through better sharing fond memories, stories, or photos about the deceased as a way to honor their life. Also, consider making donations to a charity that was important to the deceased or fundraising for them.
5) Encourage them to seek further professional help if need be.
Helping your friend locate a grief counselor or a mental health professional can be the best thing you can do for someone who is in need of professional support. Don’t be afraid to suggest this if you are concerned for your friend. They might not be able to think about seeking help, but you supporting them to do so can make a huge difference.
Share this post to help others send thoughtful messages of condolence
So there we have it: 90 of the most sincere messages of condolence. As you can see from this post, there are many ways to send support to a loved one who is going through a difficult period of grief. Whether it’s a simple “Thinking of you during this difficult time.” or a thoughtful “Your loved one will always be remembered and cherished in our hearts.” there’s no end to how you can make your loved one feel supported during their loss.
We hope you found this helpful and that you can use this knowledge to remind yourself of how easy it is to reach out and let your friend know you’re thinking of them. It only takes a second, and it can potentially help them on their grief journey. Showing your support to a person who has just lost a loved one is so important, and with the help of these examples, you should be able to put your feelings into words easily.
Finally, don’t forget to share this post with your friends and followers – you never know who else might need some help to send a message of condolence to someone in need.
If you found these messages of condolence helpful, you might also enjoy Understanding the 5 Stages of Grief with Divorce or How to Let Go of Someone You Love.
