Condolence messages: 113 examples for any loss

If you need words right now, start here. The ones marked (text) are short enough to send as a text message.

1. I'm so sorry. I'm thinking of you, and I'm here. (text)
2. I just heard about [name]. I'm so sorry, and I'm thinking of you. (text)
3. There are no right words, but I'm so sorry. Holding you close today. (text)
4. I'm so sorry about your [dad]. No need to reply. I just wanted you to know I care. (text)
5. [Name] was one of a kind. I'll miss them, and I'm thinking of your whole family.
6. With deepest sympathy, and with love for you and everyone who misses [name].
7. I'm so sorry. If a quiet visit or a slow walk would help this week, I'm around.
8. My heart breaks for you. I'm here for whatever you need, today or months from now.
9. Thinking of you and remembering [name] with so much warmth.
10. I'm sorry you're going through this. You don't have to answer. I'll check in again soon. (text)

Say you're sorry, use the name of the person who died if you can, and offer something real: your company, a memory or one specific kind of help. There is no set form. The Emily Post Institute's advice comes down to writing what you honestly feel, keeping it short, and not dwelling on the illness or how the person died (Emily Post Institute).

Three complete messages show how the same care changes with the channel.

Short, simple condolence messages say three things in about a dozen words: I'm sorry, I care, I'm here. Short is not cold, and a brief message is easy to read on a hard day.

1. So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you. (text)
2. I'm heartbroken for you. Sending all my love. (text)
3. I'm so sorry. You're in my thoughts every day. (text)
4. Holding you and your family close right now. (text)
5. I'm here, and I'll keep checking in. (text)
6. Sending love and quiet strength your way. (text)
7. With heartfelt sympathy for you and your family.
8. Remembering [name] with you today, and always.
9. [Name] will be so missed. My deepest condolences.
10. Thinking of you during this very hard time.
11. With love and sympathy, now and in the weeks ahead.
12. So sorry, friend. I'm only a call away.

For a friend, be warm and personal: use their name, mention the person who died, and say plainly that you'll be around. You can be more casual with a close friend than you would be in a card to their family.

1. [Name], I'm so sorry. I can't imagine this week, but I can sit with you through it.
2. I've been thinking about you all day. I love you, and I'm so sorry about [name].
3. You showed up for me when things fell apart. Now it's my turn. I'm here.
4. I keep remembering [name]'s laugh at your birthday last year. I'm so sorry they're gone.
5. No pressure to talk. If you want company, I'll come over and we can just be quiet together.
6. I'm so sorry. Whatever this week looks like, you won't have to face it by yourself.
7. Thinking of you and [name] tonight. Text me anything, anytime, even just a heart.
8. I don't have the right words, only love for you and a lot of time to listen.
9. I'm so sorry about your [grandma]. She clearly adored you, and it showed every time she talked about you.
10. You don't owe anyone a brave face right now, me included. I'm here for the hard parts.

At work, keep it brief and kind, skip personal questions, and make it clear they don't need to reply. Messages for a coworker or employee can stay professional and still be warm, and practical reassurance about work is often the most helpful thing a colleague can say.

1. I was so sorry to hear about your loss. Thinking of you, and no need to reply.
2. We're all thinking of you. Please take the time you need. We'll handle things here.
3. I'm so sorry about your [mother]. When you're back, there's no catching up to do. We've got it.
4. Sending you and your family our deepest sympathy from everyone on the [team name] team.

1. I'm very sorry for your loss. Please don't worry about anything here this week.
2. I was sad to hear about your [father]. My thoughts are with you and your family.
3. With sincere sympathy. If there's anything I can take off your plate, I'm glad to.

1. I'm so sorry about your loss. Take the time you need. Your work is covered, and we'll talk about next steps only when you're ready.
2. Please focus on your family. [HR contact] will reach out separately about leave, so you don't have to think about it today.
3. I'm thinking of you. When you come back, we'll start slowly, and you can tell me what helps.

1. We were so sorry to learn of your loss. Please accept our sincere condolences.
2. Our thoughts are with you and your family. Please don't think about our project until you're ready.
3. We're thinking of you during this difficult time. With deepest sympathy from all of us at [company].

When you know someone only a little, a short, kind note is right. If you can, mention how you knew the person who died.

1. I was so sorry to hear about [name]. I always loved seeing them out in the garden. Thinking of you.
2. We're so sorry for your loss. If you'd like help with the yard or the mail for a while, just knock.
3. I didn't know [name] well, but I know how much they meant to you. I'm so sorry.
4. Our street won't be the same without [name]. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy.

When you write to a whole family, speak about the person who died and address the family, or the closest relative, by name. Emily Post suggests writing to the closest relative when you knew the person who died but not the family (Emily Post Institute).

1. To the [Lee] family: we are so sorry. [Name] was a kind and steady presence, and we'll miss them.
2. Our hearts are with all of you. [Name]'s warmth touched so many people, us included.
3. Thinking of each of you as you say goodbye to someone so loved.
4. We're holding your family close. Please know you're surrounded by people who care.
5. [Name] talked about all of you with so much pride. I'm so sorry for your family's loss.
6. Sending love to the whole family. We'll never forget [name]'s Thanksgiving pies.
7. With deepest sympathy to you all, and gratitude for the years we had with [name].
8. To [name]'s family: thank you for sharing them with all of us. We are so sorry.

Losing a parent is hard at any age. For the loss of a father or the loss of a mother, say you're sorry, use "mom" or "dad" the way they do, and if you knew the parent, share one memory.

1. I'm so sorry about your mom. I'll always remember how she made everyone feel welcome in her kitchen.
2. Your mother raised someone wonderful. I'm thinking of you and holding you close.
3. I'm so sorry, [name]. Your mom's love shows in the way you treat people.
4. Thinking of you as you miss your mother. I'd love to hear your stories about her whenever you want to share them.

1. I'm so sorry about your dad. He was one of the kindest, funniest people I've met.
2. Your father was so proud of you. I hope you can feel that, even now.
3. Thinking of you and your family as you say goodbye to your dad. I'm here.
4. I'm so sorry. I know how much your dad meant to you, and I'll miss his stories, too.

After the loss of a husband, wife or partner, name their person, avoid any talk of moving on, and offer company for the quiet times. The same holds whether you're writing to a widow, a widower or a spouse's long-term partner.

1. I'm so sorry about [name]. You two were a team in every way, and I'm thinking of you.
2. [Name] loved you so clearly. I'm heartbroken for you.
3. I'm so sorry. I'd like to keep you company on Sunday afternoons, if that would help.
4. Thinking of you, especially in the quiet hours. I'm a phone call away, day or night.
5. I'll always remember how [name] looked at you across a room. I'm so sorry.
6. There's no right way to do this. Whatever you need, I'll keep showing up.

When a child dies, keep your words very simple, use the child's name, and don't try to explain the loss or find a bright side. Take your cues from the parents, as the Emily Post Institute advises for anyone grieving: if they talk about their child, listen, and say the child's name too.

1. I am so deeply sorry about [child's name]. I'm thinking of you every day.
2. There are no words. I love you, and I'm here.
3. [Child's name] was so loved. I will always remember them.
4. I'm holding you and [child's name] in my heart, today and always. You don't need to reply.

After a sudden or tragic death, say you're sorry and that you're there. Don't ask how it happened; let them share details only if they choose to.

1. I'm so shocked and so sorry. I'm here for you, whatever you need.
2. I can't believe [name] is gone. I'm thinking of you and your family every minute.
3. There's nothing to say that fits this. I love you, and I'm not going anywhere.
4. I'm so sorry. You don't have to explain anything to me. I'm just here.
5. My heart is with you. I'll check in tomorrow, and it's okay to ignore my texts if you need to.
6. [Name] was so full of life. I'm heartbroken with you.

When someone's family member is dying, write to support them now rather than to grieve ahead of time. Say you're thinking of them both, and offer something practical so the caregiver can rest. If the person is expected to recover, a get-well message fits better.

1. I'm thinking of you and [name] every day. You don't need to send updates. I'm just here.
2. I'm so sorry you're facing this. Sending love to you both and to everyone at [name]'s bedside.
3. If you need someone to sit with [name] so you can sleep for a few hours, I'd be honored.
4. I'm holding you close. Please tell [name] I'm thinking of them.

Religious and spiritual messages fit when you know the family shares that faith. A warm, non-religious message fits anyone, whatever they believe.

1. Praying for you and your family, and for God's comfort in the days ahead.
2. May the Lord hold you close and give you peace as you grieve [name].
3. Thanking God for [name]'s life and asking Him to comfort your heart.
4. You're in my prayers. May you feel God's love around you this week.

If you'd like to include a verse, two that are often shared are below, quoted from the King James Version as printed on Bible Gateway:

• "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4, KJV)
• "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." (Psalm 34:18, KJV)

1. I'm so sorry about your father. May his memory be a blessing.
2. Thinking of you and your family this week. May [name]'s memory be for a blessing.

1. I'm so sorry for your loss. May Allah grant [name] peace and give your family patience and comfort.

If you share the faith, you might add the words of Quran 2:156, which in The Clear Quran translation read: "Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will ˹all˺ return" (Quran.com).

1. Sending light and peace to you and your family as you remember [name].

1. Thinking of you and wishing you comfort and a little rest.
2. [Name]'s kindness will stay with everyone who knew them. I'm so sorry.
3. I'm so sorry. I hope the people around you make the days a little lighter.
4. Remembering [name] with you, and sending love for the long road ahead.
5. Wishing you gentle days, and good company whenever you want it.

A pet's death is a real loss. Use the animal's name and say you're sorry, just as you would for a person.

1. I'm so sorry about [pet's name]. They were lucky to have you, and you were lucky to have them.
2. I'll miss [pet's name] greeting me at the door. Thinking of you.
3. [Pet's name] had the happiest life with you. I'm so sorry they're gone.
4. Sending love. I know how much [pet's name] was part of every single day.
5. Fourteen years of walks and couch naps is a lot of love. I'm so sorry.
6. Thinking of you. [Pet's name] was family, and it's okay to miss them this much.

Match the channel to how close you are. A text or email is fine as a first word, a card or note gives them something to keep, and in person a sentence or two is enough.

Text-message condolences are fine: AARP's etiquette column suggests a short, sincere text at first with a more personal follow-up later, and a voice message for closer relationships (AARP). Emily Post adds that an email can come first, followed by a handwritten note (Emily Post Institute).

For a condolence card, a few lines and a warm sign-off such as "With love" are plenty.

1. I'm so sorry, [name]. I've been thinking about you.
2. I loved [name]. I'm so glad I knew them.
3. I don't know what to say, but I wanted to be here.
4. Would it be okay if I sat with you for a bit?

Then listen. If they want to talk about the person who died, let them. If they don't, quiet company or a hug is enough (Emily Post Institute).

Skip phrases that explain the loss, compare it or rush it, and say something simple instead. Here is what to avoid saying, and why. Most of these come from a wish to help, so if you've said one, a kind follow-up message is all it takes.

The Emily Post Institute and AARP both warn against several of them.

Keep reaching out after the funeral. Checking in later, with a short message at about one week, one month, the first holidays and the first anniversary, tells them you haven't forgotten.

AARP's condolence-letter guide calls a week or two after the death the ideal time for a note, says it's never too late, and notes that later messages can mean a lot once others have stopped writing.

Emily Post suggests letting the person's mood guide you around the first anniversary, and says a note, a home-cooked meal, time together or a phone call is usually welcome (Emily Post Institute). It helps to put the dates in your own calendar the week you hear the news.

For the first holidays, the Christmas card messages guide has a section of gentle lines for someone who is grieving. On their own birthday that first year, choose a quiet line from the heartfelt birthday wishes rather than a funny one. Both guides are linked at the end of this page.

1. Thinking of you this week. No need to reply. I just wanted you to know.
2. It's been a month, and I'm still thinking about you and [name]. Coffee on Saturday?
3. I know the holidays may feel different this year. There's a seat for you at our table, and it's fine if you'd rather stay in.
4. Today would have been [name]'s birthday. I'm remembering them with you.
5. I can't believe it's been a year. I miss [name], and I'm thinking of you today.

If you'd like to send something they can open and keep, InviteBird's sympathy cards are animated online cards for $4.99 each, with no subscription. You add your own message, and the card arrives by email or text (text delivery covers the US, Canada, the UK and Europe).

You can send it now or schedule it for a date you choose, which can help with a one-month or anniversary check-in. The cards, including ones for the loss of a parent, pet sympathy and in loving memory, are linked at the end of this guide. A card is entirely optional; a text, a call or a handwritten note can mean just as much.

Then keep in touch, especially in the months after the funeral, when visits may slow down.

It can be one line or many pages, and no one else needs to read it. Some starting points:

• "I thought of you today when..."
• "I want you to know that..."
• "I miss the way you..."

If the weight of it feels like too much to carry alone, please reach out to someone you trust or a grief counselor.