Condolence messages

Find the words for a condolence message.

For a sympathy card, a note to a colleague, or a message to a grieving friend. Tell MyScribe who it’s for and what happened, and read the opening of your condolence message before you decide to pay.

Start my condolence message

Free opening preview. Complete message $2.99 USD. No account, no subscription.

What to include

Four things
worth saying.

Most people put off a condolence message because they are afraid of saying the wrong thing. The right thing is usually short: acknowledge the loss, say something true about the person or about your care for the one grieving, and offer something specific if you can.

Acknowledge the loss directly.

Use the person’s name. “I was so sorry to hear about David” is kinder than a vague reference to “your loss.”

One true thing.

A memory, a quality you admired, or simply that they were clearly loved. If you never met them, say what you know of them through the person you are writing to.

A specific offer, only if you mean it.

“I can cover Thursday’s report” or “I’ll bring dinner on Sunday” helps more than “let me know if you need anything.”

A quiet close.

You do not need to resolve their grief. “Thinking of you” is a complete ending.

What to leave out

And how long
to make it.

Explanations for the loss, or phrases beginning with “at least.”
Comparing their loss to one of your own in detail.
Religious language unless you know it will comfort them.

Length. A sympathy card usually needs about 150 words or fewer. A longer letter of around 400 words suits a close friend or relative when you have memories to share.

Write mine with these in mind

An example

From details
to a finished draft.

What they wanted to say

Offer support without asking for a reply.

A colleague has lost her father. The sender wants to acknowledge the loss and offer to cover a weekly report, without requiring a response.

Read the original details

My colleague Priya's father died. I didn't know him and don't know the circumstances. Priya and I work together on the weekly customer report. I can cover her part of that report next week if that would help, but she doesn't need to make a decision now or reply to this message. I want to acknowledge her loss simply. There should be no assumptions about her beliefs, how she feels, or what her father would want. We have a friendly working relationship, but we aren't close friends.

Written by MyScribe

Sympathetic · 137 words

Dear Priya, I was so sorry to hear that your father has died. I didn't know him, but I wanted to reach out and acknowledge your loss.

I'm thinking of you, and I wanted to offer something practical in case it helps.

I'm happy to cover your part of the weekly customer report next week. There's no need to decide now, and please don't feel you have to reply to this message. If you'd like me to take it on, you can let me know whenever it suits you. If you'd rather handle it yourself, that is completely fine too.

I'm not writing to ask anything of you. I simply wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you, and that the offer is there for next week.

Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

With warm wishes,

Start a message like this

Illustrative examples generated by MyScribe from fictional details. The message wording is unedited.

Common questions

Before you begin.

What do you write to someone you don’t know well?

Keep it brief and sincere. Say you were sorry to hear the news, that you are thinking of them, and, at work, offer one practical thing you can take off their plate.

Can MyScribe include a memory of the person?

Yes, if you provide it. MyScribe is instructed to use the details you share and not to invent memories, names, or events. If you leave memories out, the message stays general.

How much does a condolence message cost?

Reading the opening is free, with no account or card. If you want the rest, the complete message is $2.99 USD, paid once, at any of the three lengths. There is no subscription.

Why not use a general AI chatbot?

You can, if you have one and don’t mind working out what to ask and asking again until the tone is right. MyScribe is built only for messages like this one: describe the situation once, choose a tone, and the wording is handled. There is no account to set up, and you only pay if the free opening sounds right.

More guides

Writing
something else?

Try a free preview

See how your
condolence message reads.