How To Close A Sympathy Letter

Sympathy letters are difficult to write; as words cannot completely express the grief and compassion the aggrieved person feels. While a letter cannot erase the past, it lends a kind of support and relief to the distressed. However, while writing such a letter, you have to make sure that you sound sympathetic, not pitiful. There is a great difference between the two—while the former reflects your concern and support; the latter is a kind of mockery. Closing sympathy letters in the right way is also important. While, in the first half of the letter, you express your regret for the loss, the conclusion gives you a chance to extend your support and help to the person. The closing words should be a reflection of your true feelings for the deceased and the bereaved family. In the following lines, we have provided some tips on how to close a sympathy letter.

How To Close A Condolence Letter

The first thing to remember while closing a sympathy letter is to make it genuine and simple.
While the beginning of a sympathy letter expresses your compassion and consolation, the end should have an expression of comfort for the surviving family members.
Add a sentence referring to the deceased and the unforgettable memories spent with him. Knowing that there are people who’ll not forget their loved one provides an extra level of comfort. Through your letter, let the bereaved family know that you are thinking of them.
When it comes to closing a sympathy letter, instead of using single words like ‘sincerely’, ‘fondly’ or ‘with love’, phrases would aptly state your empathetic feelings. For instance, a phrase like ‘My love and concern are always with you’ would not only show that you regret the loss the person has suffered, but are also concerned for him/her.
Another example of the closing phrase can be, ‘You are continually in my thoughts and prayers’. It shows that you genuinely care and think about the person.
Other thoughtful closing phrases that you can use are ‘The memory of him/her will always be in our hearts’, ‘May God’s grace strengthen you’, ‘Thinking of you during this difficult time’, ‘May your heart and soul find peace and solace’, ‘My prayers and thoughts are with you’, ‘My affectionate respects to you and yours’, and ‘We share in your grief and send you our love’.
If you are writing the sympathy letter for a business associate or someone you have recently met, writing ‘sincerely’ or ‘with care and concern’ would be suitable as the closing statement.
Unless you really know the cause of death or any of the family members, do not include sentences like ‘I know how you feel’. One is bound to know how the family feels on the loss of a loved one.
If you know the family well, you can add in religious references considering what they would mean to them. However, if you aren’t close to the family or are unsure about their take on religion, simply mention your thoughts and feelings, rather than extending to references to the religion.
Finally, make sure that you write your name or family name at the end of the letter.

Ending a condolence letter with the appropriate words or phrases can motivate the reader and other surviving members of the family to move ahead in life, while cherishing good memories of the deceased. The letter can be made special and meaningful to the reader by personalizing it. Let your sympathy start and end with feelings and emotions, right from your heart. For, you do not know that your words may provide benefits beyond measure.

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