When someone you care about is grieving, it’s hard to find the right words. What should you say in a condolence message? What common sympathy expressions should you avoid? What else can you do to comfort a bereaved friend?
To help you support a grieving colleague, friend or family member, Legacy offers advice from condolence experts. Click on the links to learn more about how to write condolence notes, what to say in a sympathy message, what not to say to someone who is grieving, how to help the bereaved, and more.
WHAT TO SAY WHEN SOMEONE DIES
Sympathy and Condolence Examples
When someone you care about has lost a loved one, it can be hard to know what to say. But it’s important to say something. Sharing your condolences lets them know you care and offers comfort in one of the hardest times they’ll ever experience.
Best Sympathy Quotes
Most of us wish we had the right words of comfort following a death. Here are 50 of the most timeless sympathy quotes about grief.
What to Say to Someone Who Is Dying
Visiting a friend or loved one who has a terminal illness can be scary, but don’t let nervousness keep you away. This article offers tips and support to help you make this important visit.
What to Say When Someone Dies
You don’t have to say much. But whether in person at the funeral, or in a condolence note sent with flowers, it’s important to acknowledge the loss and express your sympathy.
HOW AND WHY TO WRITE A CONDOLENCE NOTE
Why Write Sympathy Notes?
When someone dies, all we have left are our memories. Sympathy notes that express your condolences bring comfort to the bereaved. The most meaningful ones include your thoughts, personal memories and, if possible, a treasured story.
How to Write a Condolence Note
There’s no need to let a friendship suffer just because of worries over how to express our sorrow. If we stick to some basics, offering condolences is not as hard as it sometimes feels.
How to Write Condolences on Facebook
Facebook has become a major channel for your friends to share and mourn the death of their loved ones. The sympathy and condolence messages Facebook friends write have become a source of comfort as the bereaved mourn their loss.
The Power of Condolences
Friends and family members play a crucial role in extending support during the mourning period. We do this by offering condolences to communicate our sympathy. Expressing condolences is our way of showing compassion and concern and there is a myriad of ways to do this
WHAT NOT TO SAY TO SOMEONE WHO IS GRIEVING
What Not to Say After a Death
It’s easy to say the wrong thing, even when you have the best intentions. Even those with the best intentions might say something inappropriate to the bereaved. Hurtful sentiments can damage relationships; so many individuals stay away, fearing they’ll say the wrong thing. Learn some of the sentiments to avoid when a friend is grieving.
Is “I’m Sorry” Becoming a Cliché?
Saying, “I’m sorry” or, “I’m sorry for your loss” has been an accepted way to extend condolences for just about forever. So what can you say that is appropriate? You want to show empathy, but that can be tricky.
Condolences When a Friendship Is Strained
You can still reach out and send condolences to the bereaved, even if your friendship has faltered.
HOW TO HELP THE BEREAVED
Simple Ways to Show Sympathy
Showing your sympathy to a grieving friend is easy—and will be much appreciated. Learn which small gestures mean a lot.
Comforting the Bereaved Through Supportive Listening
What mourners need most are listeners, and it can be hard to find them. How can we more effectively listen and be present in a conversation with our friends and loved ones so they will open up and share their emotions?
It’s Never Too Late to Send a Sympathy Note
Who among us hasn’t had the best—but unfulfilled—intentions to visit a dying friend or relative? Or even to pop a card or note in the mail just to let them know they were in our thoughts? It’s human nature to procrastinate, but you can still say what you need to say—even if it’s long overdue.
Understanding and Coping with Loss
Legacy offers advice from leading experts, helpful information related to loss, and grief support groups to help people cope with the death of a loved one.
HOW TO HELP: ADVICE FOR SPECIFIC SITUATIONS
Bereaved Parents Shouldn’t Have to Grieve Alone
The death of a child is particularly tragic. It is unexpected and shocking, totally out of the natural order of things. The true way to mourn the dead? Take care of the living who belong to them.
How to Comfort When a Pet Dies
Pets share a special place in our lives and become a member of the family. They’re good for us, bringing pleasure, companionship, comfort, and love. So it should be no surprise that when they die, we grieve for them.
When a Bereaved Coworker Returns to the Job
If you worry about what to say and do when a bereaved coworker comes back to work, you’re not alone. Although nothing can change the loss, human kindness and community make a difference.
MORE WAYS TO OFFER SYMPATHY AND SUPPORT
What Kind of Flowers Should I Buy for a Funeral?
Sending flowers is a perfect way to express sympathy after a death. But do you know just what kind of arrangement is appropriate to send, or where you should send it? Have you ever wondered if there are times when you shouldn’t send flowers, or what might be a good alternative? Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about funeral flower etiquette.
10 Alternatives to Sympathy Flowers
Someone has died, and you want to do something to show their family that you care. What is a good sympathy gift to send?
How to Make a Memorial Donation
Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor a person after their death. Here’s how to donate in memory of someone.
Funeral Etiquette
What is the difference between a memorial service and a funeral? What should I say to the deceased’s family at the visitation? Does it matter what I wear? You have questions, we have answers.
Feeling Guilty About Missing a Friend’s Funeral
Missing a funeral can bring up a lot of emotions, but guilt shouldn’t necessarily be one of them. There are also other ways to pay your respects to the family and honor the deceased. Find out how.
