Losing someone dear to us is always hard to deal with. Those who have experienced this will attest to this fact. When someone we know suffers from a loss, we can empathize with them based on what we have been through. We can offer words of encouragement and messages of condolences. How we go about this will depend on our relationship with the person and our own personal circumstances. There are certain things that are expected of people who wish to condole with the bereaved. There are also things that must be avoided as they are considered as poor form.

In Person

The best way to send our messages is to go in person for a face-to-face encounter. Drive to the hospital, the family home, or wherever they can be found. Those who are close to the family should not find any trouble getting inside. However, others who may not be frequent visitors may find this a little intimidating. People from work may go together at the same time so that they can express their condolences as a whole. Teammates, classmates, colleagues, and friends of the deceased will usually meet up at a place so they can all go to the funeral.

With a Sympathy Card

If you cannot go in person for whatever reason, then a good alternative would be to send a sympathy card. This can contain your thoughts about the loss. Ensure the family that you are there to support the in this trying time. If you are not sure what to write, then look for online templates to get a few ideas. These will have a message already printed on the, making them look good and presentable. There should be lots of options around for this. Choose according to your taste and the messages printed on the card. Some are completely blank so that you can have more space to say what you want to.

What to Avoid

However, it is usually better to avoid writing anything at length. Brevity is a virtue in these types of scenarios. Be mindful of the family’s grief and need for privacy at this time. Offer your support but try to be as brief as possible. Be sensitive in your messages. Do not give financial help unless asked and do not collect debt payments owed by the deceased. Give them space to process the loss. Some things can wait for while.