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.
- I/we were shocked/saddened/grieved/devastated to learn of the passing of ____________
- My/Our heart/hearts are heavy/filled with sorrow at the news of ________'s passing.
- I/we want you to know that we/I are so very/terribly sorry to hear about the passing of _____________.
- Word’s cannot express the sadness/sorrow/grief we feel for you as you deal with the death of ____________.
- 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)
- I/we will miss _________ too.
- I/we extend to you my/our love/heartfelt sorrow/deepest condolences at this difficult time
- My/our hearts adn thoughts go out to you at this difficult time.
- My/Our most sincere condolences.
- Thinking of you and your family as you prepare to celebrate ________'s remarkable life and the memories you shared.
- Thinking of you and your family in this time of sorrow.
- Keeping you in my/our hearts and thoughts during this difficult time.
- Mourning the passing of ____________ with you.
- May the heartfelt consdolences and sympathy of those who love you bring you comfort during this painful time.
- 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.
- May fond memories of ________ bring you comfort during this difficult time.
- 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.
- I/we wish you serenity and peace during this difficult time
- May he/she rest in peace.
- 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.
- _______ will live on in the hearts and memories of the people who, like us, loved/admired/respected him/her.
- It was an honor/privilege/blessing to have known such a remarkable/admirable/kind/gentle person.
- _________ will truly be missed by all of who knew him/her.
- If never seems fair, but death is often the greatest relief for the suffering.
- I/we send my/our love and sympathy in hopes that they will be of some comfort to you.
- 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.
- 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.
- May you find comfort in the fact that _____________ will be remembered with love and respect by those they have left behind.
- Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.
- Hold tight to memories for comfort, lean on your friends and family for strength, and always remember how much you are loved.
- 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.
- The knowledge of impending death does not lessen grief, only places it on hold for a while.
- Today and always, may loving memories bring you peace, comfort, and strength.
- Our time on this earth is short, sometimes far too short, but no life leaves the lives of those that have loved them unmarked.
- "What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us." -Helen Keller
- "Grant but memory to us, and we lose nothing by death." -Whittier, My Summer with Dr. Singleton
- 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
- 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
- Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow. ~Robert Louis Stevenson
- Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality. ~Emily Dickinson
- There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart. ~Gandhi
- "For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity." - William Penn
- "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal/love leaves a memory no one can steal." - anonymous
- "It is not length of life, but depth of life." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
- 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.
- I know that the hurt won’t go away when the cards and casseroles do. Remember I'll still be here for you
- 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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