Short Condolence Messages (Tips for Writing and Examples)

Death is an inevitable part of life, but that doesn’t make it any easier to come to terms with a person’s passing or find the right words to express your sympathy to a friend or loved one.

Condolence messages, even short ones, can show a bereaved person that they’re not alone, that you support them during this difficult time, and can help them through the grieving process.

In this blog, we share some tips for writing short condolence messages and some examples which you may find useful.

What Is a Condolence?

Offering or expressing condolences is a way to communicate or show your sympathy for a person who has lost a loved one. 

How to a Write Condolence Message

Sincere and heartfelt condolence messages can be among some of the hardest greetings to write.

The length of the message depends on where you are sharing your sympathy e.g. condolence message, text, email or card.

Often there won’t be much room to write your thoughts or share your feelings so condolences messages are often kept quite brief and simple.

Here are 5 things to remember when putting together a condolence message:

1. Pick an appropriate greeting to start the message
2. Be compassionate and sincere
3. Share a meaningful/nice memory about the deceased if you have one
4. Avoid cliches or insensitive comments
5. Ask if there’s anything you can do to help

Examples of Short Condolence Messages

To help you prepare an appropriate condolence message, here are some examples of wording that may be suitable to share with your grieving loved one or friend:

1. We are/I am sorry to hear of your loss.
2. Please accept our/my sincere condolences following the passing of your loved one.
3. Our/My thoughts are with you during this sad time.
4. We are/I am incredibly sorry for your loss. May he/she rest in peace.
5. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
6. Our sincerest/deepest sympathies to you and your family at this difficult time.
7. My heart aches for you.
8. May their soul rest in peace.
9. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
10. You are not alone.
11. We/ I send our heartfelt condolences.
12. He/ She was a bright light in our lives. We will never forget him/her.

Tips for Writing Eulogies and Obituaries

Condolence messages are just one of things that may be new to you at the time of someone’s passing. If you’ve been asked to write a eulogy, we’ve shared our top 4 tips here.

We also share some advice for those needing to write an obituary in our blog here.