| Nearly everybody has, at some time or another, | | | | - Always remember that you have friends and |
| experienced the loss of a loved one. Many have | | | | we are here for you, so if there is anything you |
| also been in the position to comfort a friend at | | | | need, please don't hesitate to ask. |
| the loss of someone dear to them. In either case, | | | | - You can find peace in the good memories that |
| sympathy words are exchanged. The perennial | | | | you have |
| problem is, of course, that in times of grief, it | | | | - I know this is hard, but you can make it through |
| may be difficult to find the right words. It may in | | | | These are just a few things that people have |
| fact be difficult to physically say them at all. | | | | found to be helpful over the years. They are |
| However, it's important to express your | | | | effective mainly because the speaker empathizes |
| sympathy to your friend or loved one, and you | | | | with the bereaved. That is the main thing, and it |
| can find examples of sympathy words at | | | | cannot be overstated. Your sympathy words |
| ObituariesHelp.org | | | | should show that you empathize with the kind of |
| What Words of Sympathy to Say | | | | pain they are experiencing, and that you can help |
| Choosing your words when you are called on to | | | | them through it. |
| comfort someone in grief is more complicated | | | | Sympathy Phrases to Avoid |
| than just trying to make them feel better. You | | | | Saying "I know how you feel" to someone who |
| want them to know that you can empathize with | | | | has lost a loved one is not the best way to show |
| their pain. The difficult part in all of that is knowing | | | | your sympathy. Words like that can sometimes |
| that they will have heard sympathy words from | | | | hurt more than they help because no one can |
| perhaps a hundred other people as well, so what | | | | truly know what another person is feeling about |
| can you say that will truly give them peace and | | | | anything, especially the death of someone dear. |
| closure? Look to samples of sympathy words | | | | ObituariesHelp.org also has lists of Phrases to |
| online for inspiration. An excellent website that has | | | | Avoid for sympathy sayings or words of |
| words of sympathy samples in cards, letters, | | | | sympathy. |
| sayings and quotes is at ObituariesHelp.org | | | | Also, avoid being at all insincere. Again, remember |
| Here is something to think about: If you had just | | | | that this person will most likely have heard |
| lost one of your parents or a sibling, what would | | | | sympathy words from many other people over a |
| you find comforting? How well you know | | | | few days, so the last thing they want to hear is |
| someone is a good litmus test of what you should | | | | condolences that are not heartfelt. Don't offer |
| say and how you should say it. When finding | | | | your help if you can't or won't actually help. |
| sympathy words, always remember to whom | | | | Actions Speak Louder than Words |
| you are speaking. If that person is a very private | | | | Sometimes, offering sympathy words can involve |
| individual, he or she may prefer to be left alone | | | | no words at all. Making a meal for someone when |
| for the most part. In that case, knowing when | | | | you know they don't feel like cooking for |
| the appropriate time to approach is essential to | | | | themselves can be a great help. Simply offering a |
| successfully providing comforting sympathy words | | | | hug is often a very comforting gesture. Day to |
| to the grieving person. | | | | day tasks may be hard for the bereaved to |
| A Short List of Sympathy Words | | | | complete. Doing their dishes, mowing the lawn, |
| The following is a short list of sympathy words | | | | taking the kids to school or other activities are all |
| you can say to someone to bring him or her | | | | ways to show you care and are simple sympathy |
| comfort. You can find a complete list of | | | | gestures that mean so much. |
| sympathy words for dozens of different | | | | The grieving process is different for everybody, |
| situations at | | | | but the one immutable truth behind everybody's |
| - You are always in my prayers | | | | experience is that the right words or gestures |
| - He/She would be very happy to know that you | | | | can go a long way towards easing the pain of this |
| loved him/her so much | | | | difficult transition in their lives. |