Pray For Lilly: sympathy

Friday, May 27, 2016

How to express your condolences

Earlier this week, I was contacted by someone from ObituariesHelp.org. She shared with me her new advice page on how to write a message of condolence to someone that had lost a loved one. I looked at her page, and it is really, really good!

When someone dies, people can feel awkward and not really know what to say, or they may not say anything for fear of saying the wrong thing. I know - I've felt that way myself. But after experiencing the loss of Lilly, I know that it hurts the most when people don't say anything.

So for some very helpful ideas, go to http://obituarieshelp.org/words_of_condolences_hub.html

Condolence Definition

noun: con·do·lence pronounced [kənˆdou ləns]
plural: con·do·lences pronounced [kənˆdou ləns iz]
- See more at: http://obituarieshelp.org/words_of_condolences_hub.html#sthash.ceSo1oog.dpuf

The webpage has ideas on how to begin your card/letter, what to put in the body of the card/letter, and quotes and Bible verses to use. It also discusses using social media to express sympathy. I printed the page out and am going to keep it in my box of sympathy cards.

I know social media is the norm for what seems like everything now, but I personally feel that sending a card in the mail (or delivering it personally) means the very most. Simply because a person has to put more effort into it so it means more. To me anyway. I know we're all different. I have two HUGE boxes of sympathy cards in the attic from when Lilly died. I don't know if I'll ever be able to read through them all again, but it gives me comfort in just having them.