Condolence Sympathy Notes

Sympathy and Condolence Messages

Sympathy or condolence notes that accompany sympathy gifts are perhaps the hardest messages to compose. You want your sympathetic words to express your sadness to a grieving relative, friend or colleague as well as show your support during a difficult time. The best sympathy notes let people know that you care and are thinking of them. You may express your sympathy no matter how close or distant your relationship is. You will want to word your sympathy note a little differently based on whether you know both the person who died and the survivor, only the person who died, or only the survivor.

Since grieving can be a lengthy process, you might consider sending a gift more than once during the first year after someone passes. One other thing, don't expect a timely thank you note or acknowledgement back from the gift recipient. This is a difficult time for surviving family members and they don't always have the emotional resources to respond promptly to your gift.

Here are a few sample notes that may express your sentiments or give you a jumping off point to write you own gift message: