The loss of a family member, friend, or even a pet is one of the most difficult emotional experiences a person goes through. A letter of condolences is one way to help someone get through difficult times at least a little. Trying to write such a letter can be daunting, and you may feel confused and uncomfortable not knowing what to say to someone who is going through such overwhelming grief. However, even in such a delicate matter, there are tips to help you collect your thoughts and avoid obvious mistakes.
It is necessary
- A pen
- Paper
- Sincere feelings
Instructions
Step 1
Don't put off writing your condolence letter for long periods of time. If you have not been able to express your condolences within two weeks after the tragic event, then it is no longer worth taking on it.
Step 2
Be brief. When someone is going through such a difficult event, it is unlikely that he will have the strength to read long condolence messages.
Step 3
Do not be overly eloquent. Emotional support is important, not the literary form in which you express it. Someone who is grieving may simply not understand what you mean if the letter is written too floridly.
Step 4
Make sure you know exactly how the name and patronymic of the deceased are spelled. If you get it wrong, it will be an insulting and unforgivable mistake.
Step 5
Start your letter with what you learned about the loss and how the news made you feel. It is not necessary to write about what you imagine, what the grieving person is now experiencing, even if you have already experienced a similar experience. Grief for everyone is a deeply personal experience. Write better, "I can't imagine what you are going through right now."
Step 6
Offer your help, but only in something specific. A grief-stricken person is unlikely to be able to simply think about what kind of help he needs, but if you yourself offer something necessary, it will be easier for him to think about your proposal.
Step 7
If you have something to remember about the past, you can write a couple of lines about how it was. Sometimes it becomes a little easier for people when they just see the name of a loved one, they know that someone else remembers him with warmth.
Step 8
Finish the letter with your heartfelt condolences and hope that time can dull at least a little the pain that the addressee is experiencing.
