Using Sympathy Messages to Support Friends and Relatives

We may dread the job of writing sympathy messages to our friends, but we need to keep in mind that we are not doing it for us – we are doing it for them – for those who are grieving. Obviously, the time directly following the loss of a close loved one is a very difficult time. Not only is a time of great sadness, it can also be a time when all hope seems to have been lost and visions of the future are all seem to be desperately dark and bleak. At times like this, sympathy messages from friends and relatives can be a boost to the spirit.

The time immediately following death can be a difficult time for friends of the survivor as well. In times like this it feels awkward to say or write anything. And so, the task of writing comforting words becomes infinitely more difficult. However, if we truly care for our friends, we will find that making the effort to compose and send sincere sympathy messages will be well worth the time and effort taken.

You will observe that during times of grief, many people will take the time to send preprinted “off-the-shelf” condolence cards, but only the closest of friends and relatives will make the effort to actually compose original handwritten sympathy messages. If you wish to be truly supportive, you will want to endeavor to be in the latter group. Doing so is not an easy task – but being a true friend means that you value that friendship enough to avoid taking the easy way out.

Guidelines to Help Compose Sincere Sympathy Messages

Speak simply and sincerely. You are not writing a speech that you are going to deliver at the person. You are composing a personal communication. You are having a conversation. Don’t ruin your sympathy messages with grand, verbose passages and hundred-dollar words. Write as you speak. Express what you are truly feeling and just have a talk with your friend.

Write your message out in your own handwriting. Even if you’re like me and can compose your thoughts better on a computer, resist the temptation to print your message out and include it in the card – not even if it’s printed on high-grade fancy stationary. If you must compose on the computer, by all means, do so. But when you’re finished composing, take the time to copy it into the card in your own handwriting.

Be sure to express your sorrow and support – but don’t let that be your entire message. But also take some time to include some good memories of the deceased. Sure, this is a time for grieving and mourning. But it is also a time to remember and appreciate the person who has been lost. What better way than to pay homage to past memories of great times?

Sending Sympathy Messages – Making the Task Easier

The way to make any task easier is to get help. Composing sympathy messages is no exception. If you search online or visit your bookstore, you will be able to find many sources to help you complete this job. Certainly there are many web sites and books with guidelines for writing sympathy messages and phrases and examples that can be adapted for your own use.