Sending Your Condolences
When we see friends, co-workers or loved ones grieving over a loss, it is human nature to console them. In this day and age, condolences are sent in multiple ways – flowers and cards, letters, donations to charitable organizations, online memorial tributes. A condolence shares your sympathy and concerns with those who are dealing with the pain loss creates. Often times a letter or kind word from someone can be incredibly comforting and helpful in another’s healing process.
When writing a condolence letter, you should include the following elements:
- Recognize the name of the person lost in the way you most addressed that person. In this way, the letter is conversational and personal
- Show your sympathy for the loss
- Share a special memory of the loved one. This can be a time you shared with them or something they told you that was memorable or influential - whatever made this person “real†to you or to the bereaved
- Encourage the bereaved by reassuring them of their strength and other positive characteristics
- Make yourself available to help during this difficult time
Above all else, make sure to write the letter rather than type it. During a time of loss, personal connections have a profound benefit on those grieving.
August 14th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
[...] of the nice things about a website such as this is that people can pay tribute to the person and offer condolences to family and loved ones. Some of the websites also allow the possibility to light a web candle in memory [...]
September 13th, 2007 at 1:24 am
[...] one, such as a funeral, memorial service, online memorials, and online obituaries, writing and sending condolence letters can also be your way of not only expressing sympathy but also in remembering a loved one and [...]