5/04/2015

40+ secular messages of condolence





I have unfortunately reached the time in my life when writing condolence cards is becoming a regular necessity.  This is made all the more difficult by the fact that I don't affiliate with any particular religion, so many of the conventional/reliable expressions of sympathy (ex: "I will keep you and your family in my prayers") are inappropriate.  Have been adding to the list of sentiments below from some years now; only just occurred to me that others might be sharing my difficulties and appreciate the fruits of my labors.
  1. I/we were shocked/saddened/grieved/devastated to learn of the passing of ____________
  2. My/Our heart/hearts are heavy/filled with sorrow at the news of ________'s passing. 
  3. I/we want you to know that we/I are so very/terribly sorry to hear about the passing of _____________. 
  4. Word’s cannot express the sadness/sorrow/grief we feel for you as you deal with the death of ____________.
  5. I/We grieve the passing of such a _________* person (*remarkable, admirable, kindhearted, talented, admired, unforgettable, fun-loving, funny, wonderful, well-loved, lovely, sweet, gentle, generous, honorable, respected, caring, hardworking, strong, energetic)
  6. I/we will miss _________ too.
  7. I/we extend to you my/our love/heartfelt sorrow/deepest condolences at this difficult time
  8. My/our hearts and thoughts go out to you at this difficult time.
  9. My/Our most sincere condolences.
  10. Thinking of you and your family in this time of sorrow.
  11. Keeping you in my/our hearts and thoughts during this difficult time.
  12. Mourning the passing of ____________ with you.
  13. May the heartfelt condolences and sympathy of those who love you bring you comfort during this painful time. 
  14. May you be consoled by the fact that __________ was cherished by those who were lucky enough to know him/her, and will love on in their memories.
  15. May fond memories of ________ bring you comfort during this difficult time.
  16. May the care and love of those around you provide comfort and peace to get you through/help you endure the hard/difficult/painful days ahead.
  17. I/we wish you serenity and peace during this difficult time
  18. May he/she rest in peace.
  19. The loss of someone dear to us is never easy, but may you take comfort in the fact that you are surrounded by people that love and care for you.
  20.  _______ will live on in the hearts and memories of the people who, like us, loved/admired/respected him/her.
  21. It was an honor/privilege/blessing to have known such a remarkable/admirable/kind/gentle person.
  22. We join you in celebrating the rich/distinguished/unconventional/remarkable life of _____________
  23. _________ will truly be missed by all of who knew him/her.
  24. I/we send my/our love and sympathy in hopes that they will be of some comfort to you.
  25. Losing someone we love is never easy, but the gift of having  known ________, of having been fortunate enough to share his/her life, is a blessing that even death cannot deprive us of.
  26. If there is comfort to be found in this difficult time, perhaps it is in knowing that _________ (1) lived a long/rich/remarkable life; (2) is finally relieved of their suffering; (3) finally rests in peace.
  27. May you find comfort in the fact that _____________ will be remembered with love and respect by those they have left behind.
  28. Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead, and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.
  29. Hold tight to memories for comfort, lean on your friends and family for strength, and always remember how much you are loved.
  30. After the tears have dried and the goodbyes have been said, the memories we've shared with our loved ones continue to live on, providing comfort/remembrance/reassurance.
  31. Today and always, may loving memories bring you peace, comfort, and strength.
  32. Our time on this earth is short, sometimes far too short, but no life leaves the lives of those that have loved them unmarked.
  33. "What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us." -Helen Keller
  34. "Grant but memory to us, and we lose nothing by death." -Whittier, My Summer with Dr. Singleton
  35. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran
  36. Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower, We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind. ~William Wordsworth
  37. Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow. ~Robert Louis Stevenson
  38. Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality. ~Emily Dickinson
  39. There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart. ~Gandhi
  40. "For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity." - William Penn
  41. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal/love leaves a memory no one can steal." - anonymous
  42. "It is not length of life, but depth of life." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
  43. True love stories never end, they are just "to be continued." 
  44. I know I can’t make your pain go away, but I want you to know that (1) a kind voice and sympathetic ear are only a phone call away; (2) I'm here with a shoulder or an ear or anything else you need; (3) your friends and I will be taking care of ___________ for the time being, in hopes of relieving you of at least one burden.
  45. I know that the hurt won’t go away when the cards and casseroles do. Remember I'll still be here for you
  46. As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friendship.

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