Facts You Should Expect When Writing Sympathy Notes

By David Anderson


Experiencing the death of a friend or family member can be one of the most difficult times of one's life. Many feel uneasy trying to form the proper words to express their feelings to the survivors. There are just a few rules of thumb that should be followed when writing Sympathy Notes.

Condolences are important to the family as they provide comfort during a time of great loss and also aid in the healing process. It reminds them that their loved one will be missed and that others are sharing in their grief. Perhaps the most difficult part of writing such sentiments is to do so without increasing the mourner's sadness.

These messages are not intended to be of any great length. In this circumstance, just a few words from the heart will mean so much more than a long letter. One should always hand deliver or mail, not text or email, condolences shortly after learning of the death no matter how much time has passed between the event and the revelation.

They should be written on good stationery, a blank card or one printed for this reason. When sending flowers, take the time to jot down just a simple sentiment. A formal condolence should still be sent separately even if one was sent with the floral arrangement.

Using words and phrases that come from the heart is important in order to avoid coming off as distant and impersonal. Letting the family know that prayers and thoughts are being sent their way is a common sentiment. A simple statement of how much the deceased's presence will be missed is also acceptable.

Briefly sharing a positive memory of the deceased is another commonly used sentiment. If one decides to offer to help the family, the scope of aid, such as running errands or providing food, should be specified. The primary factors are to be prompt, considerate, heartfelt and brief in expressing condolences in written form.




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