| a condolence letter to a bereaved person, gives | | | | gives the bereaved comfort in knowing others |
| you an opportunity to create a lasting memento. | | | | appreciated his or her loved one. |
| It also gives you a means of honoring the | | | | 4. Talk about memorable occasions involving the |
| memory of the deceased and a chance to offer | | | | deceased. Here you can mention how the |
| comfort and hope to survivors. In the age of | | | | deceased had an impact on your life. This could be |
| emails, instant messages, text and social media, | | | | work-related, school or community events. Add a |
| we rarely take time to write a personal letter. But | | | | sense of humor when referring to these events. |
| when it comes time to write a condolence letter, | | | | Remember; laughter is a good medicine and can |
| we must pull out pen and paper and write a | | | | cure a lot of ills. |
| heartfelt message. | | | | 5. Talk about the qualities of the person you are |
| Our primary focus is on writing a condolence | | | | writing. In this section of your condolence letter, |
| letter. The article will not discuss the grief process. | | | | offer reassurances to the bereaved to help to |
| I mention it here to provide a clearer | | | | boost self-confidence. Sharing emotions of grief, |
| understanding of grief and help you write a | | | | anger, sadness, guilt and soul-searching can help to |
| sincere and heartfelt letter. | | | | heal. Do not be afraid to mention the persons |
| Components of Grief Once you receive news | | | | strength in overcoming difficult situations in the |
| of death, whether of a loved one, friend or family | | | | past. In the letter, reminding the person you are |
| member, it is hard to escape the feeling of grief | | | | writing to how resilient he or she was in |
| that envelops you. Understanding the components | | | | conquering a difficult situation. Grief will not last |
| of grief will help you to write a sincere and | | | | forever. |
| heartfelt condolence letter. Here are some of the | | | | 6. Make an offer to do something for the |
| components of grief. | | | | bereaved. Most letters of condolence include an |
| 1. Shock at the loss | | | | offer of assistance. If you feel like assisting, say |
| 2. Denial that the loss occurred | | | | so. Even if you have no desire to assist, still write |
| 3. Searching yourself for an answer | | | | a condolence letter. We usually offer our |
| 4. Bouts of anxiety | | | | assistance out of courtesy to someone who is |
| 5. A bit of sadness | | | | grieving. Without thinking, we often we say, Let |
| 6. A touch of anger | | | | me know if there is anything I can do! You have |
| 7. Feelings of guilt | | | | to realize, this can put pressure on the bereaved |
| 8. Preoccupation and forgetfulness | | | | to ask for your assistance. It would be better to |
| 9. Contemplation before accepting the loss | | | | offer specific assistance, such as picking up the |
| 10. Letting go and moving on | | | | kids from school, answering the phones, greeting |
| Effects of a Condolence Letter on Grief | | | | people as they visit or helping to sort the letters |
| The grieving person goes through all of the above | | | | and card that are coming in. Once you offer your |
| emotions and more. Your condolence letter will | | | | assistance, be sure to keep your promise. |
| help them get through the various stages and will | | | | 7. The closing. Be thoughtful in how end your |
| help them long after the funeral and for months | | | | condolence letter. It is the last thing the bereaved |
| and even years to come. Coming to terms with | | | | will read. This is the part of your letter, he or she |
| the death of a loved one is a long slow process | | | | will remember for a long time. Let your words |
| so your letter may be appreciated soon after the | | | | reflect your true feelings. You could use, love, |
| death and years later as well. | | | | yours truly, best regards or with deepest |
| The most important reason for writing a | | | | sympathy. You could choose a condolence phrase |
| condolence letter is so that the grieving person | | | | from the list below to end your letter. |
| can read and reread the letter as many times as | | | | May the peace, which comes from the memories |
| needed to help them cope with their loss. | | | | of, love shared, comfort you now and in the days |
| Realistically, you cant be there for the survivors | | | | ahead. |
| every time they need support, but your | | | | May the comfort of God help you during this |
| condolence letter offers comfort even when you | | | | difficult time. |
| cant be there. | | | | We are thinking of you during this difficult time. |
| The Seven Parts of a Condolence Letter | | | | Words seem inadequate to express the sadness |
| A condolence letter can be as long or as short as | | | | we feel. |
| it needs to be to say what you need it to say. | | | | Although no words can really help to ease the |
| But what should you say in a condolence letter? | | | | loss you bear, just know that you are very close |
| Here are seven important parts of a condolence | | | | in every thought and prayer. |
| letter that will help you organize your thoughts | | | | You have my deepest sympathies on the death |
| and get your sincere sympathy out on paper. | | | | of your uncle. |
| 1. Acknowledging the loss In the opening | | | | Oh, heart, if one should say to you that the soul |
| sentences of your condolence letter, let the | | | | perishes like the body, answer that the flower |
| person to whom you were writing know how you | | | | withers, but the seed remains. |
| heard the news. Use it to express your sadness | | | | Our hearts go out to you in your time of sorrow. |
| and dismay about the loss. | | | | I was deeply saddened to hear of your loss. My |
| 2. Express your sympathy. In this next section of | | | | thoughts are with you. |
| your condolence letter, let the person you are | | | | I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with |
| writing to know how much you care. How you | | | | you and your family. |
| share in their grief and sorrow. Above all, be | | | | It may take some time to write your condolence |
| honest. If you knew the person, who passed | | | | letter, but it is well worth the effort. You may not |
| away express your sadness and offer support to | | | | ever fully appreciate what your condolence letter |
| the bereaved. Give them comfort, letting him or | | | | can do for someone else until you feel the impact |
| her know they are not alone during this time. | | | | of a loss of a loved one. But know in your heart |
| 3. Write about the deceased. Mention things you | | | | that your written words can offer the comfort |
| know of, about the deceased, which brought joy | | | | that is often so hard to say. |
| to others. Recount some pleasant experiences | | | | A condolence letter also is an excellent way to |
| with the deceased. Maybe about sports or | | | | honor and remember the deceased. The process |
| travel-related. Use humor as you see fit. | | | | of writing the letter may even help you with your |
| If you did not know the deceased personally, you | | | | own grieving process and help you come to |
| might mention things you heard from others. This | | | | terms with the loss. |