How to Express Sympathy or Condolences
It is sometimes difficult to know how to show sympathy or condolences after a death or tragedy. You don't want to say the wrong thing or annoy the bereaved. While everyone grieves in a different way, most people will appreciate small tokens of sympathy such as cards and flowers. Helping out with day-to-day responsibilities can also help.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Acknowledge the person's loss. A few words of sympathy can provide a lot of comfort to grieving friends and relatives. A simple "I'm sorry for your loss" is often quite effective. Sometimes the feelings and needs of grieving family members can be overlooked during a tragedy.
-
2
Send a card. You can find sympathy cards in grocery stores, drugstores, dollar stores, and specialty card stores. A card will let the family know that you are thinking of them.
-
-
3
Attend the funeral or memorial service. It is important for the grieving family to have friends and relatives around them at this difficult time. Going to the funeral shows that you support the family.
-
4
Send or deliver some food. Food brings people together and is often a central part of wakes and memorials. Grieving families often don't have the energy to cook for themselves. Bringing food and snacks is a way to express sympathy and help them through the grieving process.
-
5
Send flowers to the funeral or to the family's home. Being surrounded by beautiful flowers can help the family feel loved and supported through the grieving process. They can also reduce stress levels.
-
6
Donate money in memorial of the deceased. A donation to a medical research organization or a favorite charity is a useful way to honor the deceased.
-
7
Offer to run errands for the grieving family. Simple acts such as going to the grocery store or the pharmacy can be quite difficult for a grieving person. Offering to help out reduces some of the strain on the family.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If the deceased has children or grandchildren, starting an education fund is a useful way to acknowledge the deceased's memory.
Do not get in the way or annoy the bereaved. Let them grieve in private if they wish.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
