An individual may deal with loss by spending time alone, but your words of encouragement can help.
Loss is undoubtedly an event that everyone must endure in his lifetime, and every person has his own individual method for coping. This process is even more challenging when the death is unexpected. Whether it is the passing of a person close to you or the demise of an individual who was close to someone you know, a few kind words during this time can help ease the grief.
Instructions
1. Address the card directly to the bereaved if she is a close friend or an individual you know on a personal level. When the card is to be sent to the deceased person's family, send it to the closest relative. Include the name of the person who died and your relationship to him. If you are a distant friend or relative, it is appropriate to include a reference to identify yourself, such as "Julie Finch (Bob and Jean Smith's daughter)."
2. Express your sympathy, and make it known that you will keep the family in your thoughts as they face these hard times. Share a warm or funny memory of the individual to show the person receiving the card the impact his loved one had on your life. It could be a story about how you met, some of the happy times you shared together or how he helped you through a tough time in your life.
3. Extend your direct services to the family to help alleviate any more stress than what the family is already experiencing. If you were not a close friend of the family, it would be appropriate to include this in the card or by making face-to-face contact. Offer to prepare meals, help out with kids or elderly family members, take items to the funeral home or help with funeral arrangements.
4. Pick an appropriate and sincere phrase to sum up your feelings and end the card. Possibilities include, "Thinking of you during this difficult time," "I'm praying for you," "Our thoughts and prayers are with you," "With heartfelt condolences" and "May your heart and soul find peace and comfort."
Tags: appropriate include, close friend, during this, help with, your life
