Condolences should be personal. They should describe exactly how you feel while giving comfort to the ones experiencing grief. A short, meaningless sentence you found online might even be perceived as offensive by some.
Today, instead of offering short, generic sample sympathy messages, I have decided to write up a short guide to help you express your true feelings in your own words in a way that is personal and thoughtful.
The first step is acceptance:
One of the major obstacles that drive many to settling for short, impersonal messages is the discomfort that comes with the message. To be honest, writing anything in general is hard. But writing something so intimate and meaningful is that much harder on top of the discomfort already being felt.
That's why the first step must always be accepting that you are uncomfortable. Try your best to make yourself as comfortable as possible. Create an atmosphere of peace and relaxation the best you can. But in the end, you will still need to just face it head on. No one likes writing condolence letters. But they make such a difference in the lives of the grieving.
Reflect on personal memories:
A great place to begin is by remembering the happy memories you shared with the person who has passed. Relive the joy and smiles you shared. What unique qualities make them irreplaceable? What mark did they leave on the earth? Even include a short story if you can.
The best way to keep the memory of a person alive is to share the happiness they spread. By focusing on the positive memories instead of the negative, you can almost cheat death. And it makes a world of difference to the grieving.
Don't be afraid to be yourself:
It's so easy to get caught up in whether or not you're saying the right thing when writing sympathy card messages. Sometimes it doesn't matter what you're saying, all that matters is that you're saying something from the heart. Trust yourself, even if you're not good with words. You know your loved ones better than anyone else.
Make your words last:
A sympathy note is so much better when it lives on so be sure to include that your loved one will always be in your thoughts and prayers. This way, instead of the comfort ending when the person is finished reading, they can feel your love and affection extending far past the words.
Remember to write your true feelings. Let your heart speak for you because your heart is never wrong. No matter what you write, as long as it is genuine and sincere, it will be perfect.
- William Mathis
Read more at http://www.samplesympathymessages.com
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