Kate's Club has talked about the power of words when grieving… what to say, what not to say. When a friend or family member loses someone they love, putting into writing these thoughts can be difficult. But, the support and love the friend or family member feels is incredibly meaningful and an important part of the grieving process.
Today we are sharing some ideas for getting started on sympathy notes. It doesn’t matter how short or long it is, ultimately it should just come from the heart.
- Acknowledge the loss and the name of the deceased.
- Express your sympathy.
- Note the special qualities of the deceased.
- Include a memory of the deceased.
- Remind the bereaved of their personal strengths or special qualities.
- Offer help, but make sure it is a specific offer.
- End the letter with a thoughtful word, a hope, a wish, or an expression of sympathy e.g. “You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Would you like to share your story? Please get in touch with Kate's Club! KC has free grief support with grief resources, grief counseling resources, grief training, and volunteer work in Atlanta and surrounding places in Georgia. Kate's Club is a growing nonprofit in Atlanta with grief specialists for kids and young adults going through bereavement. Our goal is to make a world where it is okay to grieve.