Bereavement Messages

Dealing with the death of a member of the family is an experience no one wants to face. It is one of the greatest challenges in the journey of a person’s life. Losing a loved one, due to natural or unnatural death, is difficult to swallow and at such circumstances, everyone is completely at loss as to how to act. People react to death differently. While few individuals talk too much due to their rapid transit of emotions, few roll up their emotions in their sleeves and seem cold and unaffected to others. At times like this, consoling the bereaved person or family turns out to be an uphill task. The choice of words should be such that they portray your empathy and help the bereaved person or family come out of the grief and anguish. For those of you who are at loss of words, we have for you few bereavement and sympathy messages as well as a list of those which should never be said or written.

Messages For Bereavement

Tears are sometimes an inappropriate response to death. When a life has been lived completely honestly, completely successfully, or just completely, the correct response to death should be a smile.
Never does one feel oneself as utterly helpless as in trying to speak comfort for a great bereavement. I will not try it. Time is the only comforter for the loss of someone as special as him/her.
Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear. Wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow, Comfort in the midst of pain.
Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer. To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.
We pray God will comfort you, and send angels from above, giving sweet peace within your heart, surrounding you with eternal love. We are sorry for your deep loss. There’s so little we can find to say. You are in our thoughts and prayers, as we grieve with you today. With our heartfelt sympathy.
Life is eternal, and love is immortal, and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing but the limit of our sight.
You don’t get over it, you just get through it. You don’t get by it, because you can’t get around it. It doesn’t ‘get better,’ it just gets different. Everyday grief puts on a new face.
Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower, we will grieve not; rather find strength in what remains behind.
Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow.

Sympathy Messages

Sympathy messages should be kept short and simple, but should be framed as such that they express your emotions aptly. The following list of sympathy messages are ideal to be included in the bereavement cards.

Let me know how I can help
My deepest sympathies during your time of loss
I am here for you
I am sorry for your loss
My thoughts and prayers are with you
[Name] will be dearly missed
[Name] is in my prayers
Please accept my condolences
With heartfelt condolences
With caring thoughts
Peace, prayers and blessings
May you find peace and comfort

Bereavement Messages Not To Be Used

While you are writing a bereavement message in a sympathy card, remember not to patronize or be overtly corny. The following list of messages should be strictly avoided.

Time heals all wounds
[Name] is in a better place now
I hope you feel better soon
This too shall pass
[Name] won't suffer anymore
Call me if you need anything
Tomorrow will be a better day
It's all for the best
It was his/her time to go
I know you miss [Name]
Sending happy thoughts your way

How to Cite

Related Articles

See also

More in 'Art & Entertainment'