Writing a sympathy card can be an emotional experience. Finding the right words to comfort someone who is grieving is often difficult. To help get you started, we're sharing thoughtful sympathy card messages that will show empathy while offering support. Remember to use these condolence message ideas as inspiration, because the most meaningful messages of sympathy come from your heart.
"We often struggle to find the right thing to say," says Jim McCann, founder and chairman of 1-800-Flowers.com. "A few simple messages of support can be extremely comforting to those who are grieving."
What to write in a sympathy card
Shirley Enebrad, certified grief recovery specialist, says sympathy cards show you care. “Tell the person you are there and willing to listen anytime day or night," she says. She suggests letting the griever know you'll check in on them, and that following up is essential. “I find the best way to comfort anyone experiencing loss is to be present."
According to Enebrad, it's best not to offer unsolicited advice when someone's grieving, because everyone processes loss differently. She advises not to interject stories of your own grief, and to avoid messages along the lines of “I know how you are feeling" when expressing sympathy.
No matter your relationship, we have supportive words for grieving family members, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, as well as condolence messages for the loss of a parent, sibling, spouse, and child. Remember to use these condolence message ideas as inspiration, because the most meaningful messages of sympathy come from your heart.
Sympathy card messages for a family member
- What an amazing person and what a remarkable life. I feel so lucky that ___ was part of our family.
- Celebrating the life of a wonderful man/woman and mourning his/her passing with you.
- Our family will not be the same without ___ . I know we’ll find comfort in each other and we'll get through this together.
- There are no words for the legacy ___ has left on our family. His/her shining personality will live on in our hearts.
- ___ has made a difference in so many lives. I’m grateful to have been a member of his/her family.
Sympathy card messages for a friend
- Thinking of you as you celebrate ___'s beautiful life. He/she will live on in your heart.
- I know I can't make your pain go away, but I want you to know I'm here for you with a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen with, or anything else you may need.
- Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs. I am so sorry for your loss.
- Thinking of you and wishing you moments of peace and comfort as you remember someone who was so close to you.
- We're so very sorry for your loss. Our family will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
- My heart goes out to you for the loss of your dear friend. I hope your happy memories will help you through this difficult time.
- You and ___ were the ultimate duo. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Sympathy card messages for a colleague
- Wishing you comfort and peace during this difficult time.
- Sending love, thoughts, and prayers to you and your family during this tough time.
- ___ touched so many lives in the very best way. I'm grateful I got the chance to know him/her as both a colleague and a friend.
- Holding you close in my thoughts and hoping you are doing okay.
- Keeping you in my warmest thoughts as you navigate this difficult time — and wishing you hope and healing when you’re ready.
- I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of ___. May the special memories you made together help you through this difficult time.
- We're saddened to hear about the passing of ___. We share in your sorrow.
- Please accept my deepest condolences to you over the loss of ___. I offer you my heartfelt support and friendship in this difficult time.
Sympathy card messages for acquaintances
- I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Wishing you peace during this difficult time.
- Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
- Thinking of you in these difficult times.
- I'm so sorry to hear about ___. I know how much his/her smile brightened your day. I'm here if you want to talk.
- We're sorry to hear about the passing of ___. Sending love.
Condolence messages for the loss of a parent
- I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Your mother/father was a wonderful person who touched the lives of many. May you find strength and solace in the memories you shared together.
- Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your mother/father. Her/his love and guidance will forever be a part of you, and her/his memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her/him.
- I can't find the words to express how sorry I am for your loss. Your mother/father's legacy of kindness and love will continue to inspire us all. Please know that I'm here for you during this difficult time.
- Losing a parent is an unimaginable pain. Please remember that you're not alone in your grief. Lean on the love and support of friends and family as you navigate through this difficult journey.
- I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your mother/father. May you find comfort in the cherished moments you shared together, and may her/his memory bring you peace.
- During this time of loss, I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Your mother/father's spirit will forever shine through you, and her/his love will continue to guide your path.
- I extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family. Your mother/father's legacy will live on through the love and wisdom she/he passed on to you. May you find strength in her/his memory.
- The loss of a parent leaves a void that words cannot fill. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, and may you find comfort in the arms of those who care about you.
- I am holding you close in my thoughts as you navigate through this painful time. Your mother/father's presence will always be felt, and her/his love will continue to surround you.
- My heart aches for you and your family during this time of loss. Your mother/father's life was a true blessing, and her/his memory will forever be a source of inspiration.
Condolence messages for the loss of a sibling
- I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved brother/sister. His/her presence brought light and joy into many lives. During this difficult time, please know that my thoughts are with you.
- My heart aches for you as you navigate through the pain of losing your brother/sister. His/her memory will forever be cherished, and his/her spirit will live on in the hearts of those who loved him/her.
- I can't begin to understand the pain you're feeling, but please know that I'm here for you. Your brother/sister's kindness and love will forever be remembered.
- Losing a brother/sister is an unimaginable loss. May you find strength in the shared memories, and may his/her spirit guide you through the challenging days ahead.
- During this time of grief, I want you to know that you're not alone. Your brother/sister's legacy of laughter and love will always be a part of you.
- I offer my heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your dear brother/sister. His/her impact on your life, and the lives of others, is a testament to the beautiful soul he/she was.
- I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your brother/sister. Please know that I'm here to offer support, a listening ear, and a shoulder to lean on.
- Your brother/sister's memory will forever live on in the stories, laughter, and love you shared. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this challenging time.
- Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am for your loss. Your brother/sister's spirit will always shine through you, and his/her memory will be a source of strength.
- Losing a sibling is a heartache that words cannot heal. I offer my sincere condolences, and I hope you find comfort in the love and support of those around you.
Condolence messages for the loss of a spouse
- I am deeply sorry for the loss of your beloved husband/wife. His/her love and presence brought so much light into your life, and the lives of others. Please know that I am here for you during this difficult time.
- During this time of profound sorrow, I want you to know that you're not alone. Your husband/wife's memory will forever live on in your heart, and in the cherished moments you shared.
- I can't begin to imagine the pain you're feeling, but I'm here to support you in any way I can. Your husband/wife's love was a gift to all who knew him/her.
- My heart aches for you as you navigate this unimaginable loss. Your husband/wife's impact on your life is immeasurable, and his/her memory will continue to shine brightly.
- Please accept my deepest condolences on your husband/wife's passing. His/her love and companionship were a beautiful chapter in your life's story.
- Losing a spouse is an indescribable loss. May you find comfort in the shared memories, and may ___'s love continue to guide you in the days ahead.
- Your husband/wife's legacy of love and kindness will forever be remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you find your way through this difficult journey.
- I offer my heartfelt sympathies during this incredibly challenging time. Your husband/wife's memory will forever be a source of strength and inspiration.
- The loss of a spouse leaves a void that words cannot fill. Please remember that I am here to support you, listen, and share in your grief.
- Your husband/wife's presence in your life was a true blessing. His/her memory will forever be a part of your story, and his/her love will continue to comfort you.
Condolence messages for the loss of a son or daughter
- There are no words that can express the depth of sorrow I feel for your loss. Your precious son/daughter's memory will forever remain in our hearts.
- I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your beloved son/daughter. His/her light touched so many lives, and his/her memory will continue to shine.
- No parent should ever have to experience the pain of losing a child. My heart aches for you, and I hope you find strength in the love and support surrounding you.
- The loss of a child is a pain that words cannot heal. I offer my heartfelt condolences and hope that the cherished moments you shared will bring you some comfort.
- During this time of profound grief, please know that you are not alone. Your son/daughter's spirit will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him/her.
- I can't find the words to convey how sorry I am for your loss. Your son/daughter's memory will forever be a reminder of the love and joy he/she brought into the world.
- My heart breaks for you as you navigate through this unimaginable sorrow. Your son/daughter's legacy of love and kindness will forever be remembered.
- The loss of your precious son/daughter is a loss felt by all who knew him/her. May the love and memories you shared bring you some measure of comfort during this difficult time.
- I offer my deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved son/daughter. His/her time with us was too short, but his/her impact was immeasurable.
- During this time of grief, may you find solace in the love and memories you shared with your son/daughter. His/her spirit lives on in the lives he/she touched.
Condolence messages for the loss of a grandparent
“May all your happy memories of your Grandmother give you peace and comfort during this challenging time.”
“I’m so sorry to hear of your Grandfather’s passing. I will always remember him as a kind and loving member of your family.”
“Your Grandma blessed so many people with her love and kindness. I hope that you will find comfort in your memories of her and knowing others miss her too.”
“Your Grandfather was an amazing person, and I’m glad I got a chance to know him. He will always be remembered.”
“Thinking of you and sending love as you celebrate your Grandmother’s remarkable life.”
Condolence messages for a sudden or unexpected loss
- "I am deeply sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you and your family during this incredibly difficult time. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers."
- "Words cannot express the shock and sadness I feel for you. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I’m here for you if you need anything at all."
- "I was devastated to hear about your sudden loss. Please know that I’m thinking of you and sending you love and strength in this time of grief."
- "I can’t imagine the pain you’re going through right now. I’m so sorry for your loss. Please take care of yourself, and remember that I’m here for you."
- "My deepest sympathies go out to you. The unexpectedness of this loss makes it all the more heartbreaking. You are in my thoughts, and I am here to support you in any way I can."
- "I was shocked and saddened to hear about ___. No words can ease the pain you must be feeling, but please know I’m here for you, ready to listen or help in any way you need."
- "I am so sorry for your loss. There are no words that can make this better, but I hope you can find some comfort in knowing that you are surrounded by people who care deeply for you."
- "My heart goes out to you during this time of unimaginable grief. Please remember that you are not alone, and I’m here to help you through this in any way I can."
- "I was so sorry to hear about ___. My thoughts are with you and your family during this time. Please reach out if there’s anything I can do to support you."
- "I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now, and I’m so sorry for your loss. Please take all the time you need to grieve, and know that I’m here for you whenever you need."
Short sympathy card messages
“I am so sorry for your loss.”
“My deepest sympathy for your loss.”
“Words fail to express my deep sorrow for your loss.”
“My heart goes out to you and your family.”
“Please know that I am with you — I’m only a phone call away.”
“Sharing in your sadness as you remember your lost loved one.”
“Wishing you strength and comfort through this difficult time.”
“Thinking of you and wishing you moments of peace and comfort.”
“I hope you know I’m here for you during this time of sorrow.”
“Please accept my warmest condolences. I’m truly sorry for your loss.”
Religious sympathy messages
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. – Matthew 5:4”
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18”
“I pray that God will grant you the strength you need to get through this difficult time.”
“May the Lord give you comfort and peace in your time of bereavement.”
“May God wrap His arms around you and give you peace and hope.”
“I am praying for you to find peace and healing through our Lord’s infinite love.”
“Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.”
“May God turn your time of darkness into light again. May He stay by your side during this difficult time.”
“We are holding your family in our hearts and lifting you in prayer.”
“Please accept my deepest condolences and know that God loves you and can restore your spirits, give you peace, and strengthen you.”
AUTHOR
Nicole DiGiose is a lifestyle writer who serves as an editor and writer for 1-800-Flowers. Previously, she's been published in Electronic Products, EE Times, Chilled Magazine, and local newspapers based in her hometown.