Sympathy Sayings

Sympathy sayings can be appropriate or inappropriate depending on when and where they are spoken or written.

When someone has lost a loved one to death, emotions are heightened and intense. They can be raw. Many want to comfort, ease the pain of, and reach the sorrowful. Above all else, sensitivity to the grieving is key. When you want to say something, make sure you are kind and not just saying something because you might be tired of the tears or cries of anguish from someone who has recently had a child, parent, spouse, or sibling die. Losing a loved one is painful. If you have lost a loved one, you will remember what it was like and how you felt. Death is not the time to be funny or cute.

Here are a list of sympathy sayings you can use to console a friend or family member who has experienced the death of a loved one. When you speak these words, make sure you say them with meaning and a tone of comfort to your voice.

• "I am so sorry for your loss."
• "I am here for you."
• "I care for you."
• "I love you."

Remember that nothing you say will be magical and bring back the dead. Depending on how the person died, as well as their age, those left behind may at some point feel that the only hope they have is if the dead can come back to them. It can be devastating to have to bury someone who was young and died in a car accident, years before his or her prime. If you knew the person who died, it will be a comfort to the family to say, "I miss him, too." If you are unable to attend the funeral, you may add, "I want to be there to comfort you, but am sorry I cannot make it."

Some words sound better written. A list of sentiments to write to someone who has lost a loved one to death include:

• Our hearts go out to you during this difficult time.
• Words cannot even begin to express our sorrow; you are in our prayers.
• Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel.
• Remember that we love and care about you.
• Hold tight to memories for comfort.
• May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.
• Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the passing of _____. (Place name of deceased here, or if you do not know the name, simply put the relationship he/she was to the bereaved.)
• May God's grace and strength be with you.
• Please know that our thoughts are with you. May the peace which comes from the cherished memories of love from (insert name of deceased) comfort you.
• May you feel our thoughts and prayers for you at this time.
• I love you
• We will miss ___ (insert name of the deceased) and were so sorry to hear of his death.
• Sometimes, when one person is missing, the whole world seems depopulated. (This is a quote by Lamartine, and lets the bereaved know that you are feeling his/her loss.)

If the person who has lost a loved one is of a particular faith, you may write something of comfort from the beliefs of the faith. For example, including a meaningful verse from the Bible might bring comfort to the grieving Christian. Be careful not to fill a card or letter with only verses from the Bible or any other book, such as a book of poetry or literature that might have sayings about the sorrow death brings. Your own words are important to write as well. Death is not a time to preach either. Your role is to offer hope, peace, and solace.

• Dying Celebrities
• Books on Grief for a Stillborn Child
• Children's Books About Death

• Free Funeral Program Template
• Sample Funeral Program
• Poems Related to Grief
• Bereavement Poems by Unknown Authors
• Poem about Death of a Dog

• What to Say to a Dying Person
• Category:Coping With Grief
• Main Page
• Words to Comfort Someone Grieving
• Sympathy Verses for Death