SIGN UP for our newsletter
Condolence Definition
noun: con·do·lence pronounced [kənˆ dou ləns]plural: con·do·lences pronounced [kənˆ dou ləns iz]
Definition: 1. Something you say or write to express sympathy when someone has died. 2. An expression of sympathy with someone who is grieving.
Examples: 1. He carefully wrote his words of condolences in a card for his good friend. 2. Please accept my sincere condolences at the loss of your loved one.
Words of condolences are comforting words shared with a person who has suffered the loss of a dear one. Choosing the right words to say at such a time can be quite challenging, but you can do so quickly by selecting from the following phrases. Salutations to Accompany Your Words of Condolences
The examples below demonstrate how to begin a condolence letter with an appropriate salutation or greeting.
First Words to Express Your Sympathies
Some words of comfort you can use to open your letter and express your sorrow are:
Please accept our heartfelt sympathies on the loss of your loved one.
Words can’t express how saddened we are to hear of your loss.
Our sincere sympathies to you and your family.
We pray the love of God enfolds you during this difficult time
Words of Condolences to Use in the Body of Your Letter
At this point in your letter you can also say some kind words about the deceased. The following sympathy phrases are popular and appropriate:
Sympathies to your family on the passing of your brother/sister. He/she will always be in our hearts.
Famous Condolence Quotes You Can Use as Words of Condolences
“Tearless grief bleeds inwardly.” Christian Bovee.
“Grief and sadness knits two hearts in closer bonds than happiness ever can and common sufferings are far stronger than common joys.” Alphonse de Lamartine
“Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts.” Charles Dickens
“Time heals grief and quarrels, for we change and are no longer the same person.” Blaise Pascal
“Those who learned to know death, rather than to fear and fight it, become our teachers about life” Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” Kahlil Gibran
“When you speak of him/her speak not with tears for thoughts of him/her should not be sad. Let memories of the times you shared give you comfort for his/her life was rich because of you.” Author Unknown
“Your dexterous wit will haunt us long, wounding our grief with yesterday, your laughter is a broken song; and death has found you, kind and gay. We may forget those transient things, that made your charm and our delight, but loyal love has deathless wings, that rise and triumph out of the night. So, in the days to come, your name shall be as music that ascends, when honor turns a heart from shame…O heart of hearts! O friends of friends!” Siegfried Sassoon
“There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, and people we can’t live without but have to let go.” Author Unknown
The Following Bible Verses Make Excellent Sympathy Sayings for Cards
Bible verses can make excellent words of condolences. Use one of the following:
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:18-31
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
“For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” Psalm 22:24
“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3,4
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” Corinthians 15:52-56
“For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.” Lamentations 3:31-33
“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave is your destruction?” Hosea 13:14
“He will swallow up death forever. The sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 25:8
Social Media Condolence Messages
Using Social Media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook is very acceptable in today’s society. Some short phrases you can use for texts, instant messaging, emails, and tweets, are:
There are no words to express my sorrow for your loss.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Don’t forget how much we love and care about you.
Please know that I am thinking of you and the rest of your family at this time
My heart is heavy as I think of your Mom/Dad and the blessing she/he was to me.
May the love of your family comfort you in the days ahead.
Praying that the Lord will give you strength during this difficult time.
Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss; my prayers are with you and your children during this difficult time.
My sincere condolences. May you find comfort and the strength to cope
Our condolences to you at this sad time.
Use the KISS principle
Keep It Sensitive and Simple- when writing words of condolences, and do say the following:
Say that you’re sorry for their loss
Share a funny memory of the deceased
Mention their unique qualities
Say that you’ll miss them also
Common Misspellings for Condolence Based Words
Makes sure you avoid these common spelling mistakes if substituting your own words for any in our samples.