How to give condolences by email

[ntisawesome]

I received an email from a student today, telling me that he would be missing class for a while to visit a possibly terminally ill sister. I do not know the student well, but I don’t want to sound cold and detached with a 2 sentence email such as:

“That’s fine, just email me when you get back.”

because that sounds not very nice.

I don’t want to be ridiculous either, since I don’t know the person at all. But I want to be sensitive. Any advice? This is an embarassing thing to ask; I am not good at this sort of thing.

Thanks guys!

 

[Em_in_FL]

How about just something simple like:

I’m terribly sorry to hear about your sister, please accept my condolences (or sympathies). Just email me when you get back.

 

[Becks]

“I received your email. I’m very sorry to hear about your sister. I will keep her in my prayers. Please let me know when you will be coming back and if there is anything that I can do for you. Sincerely, ______”

 

[rayne89]

How about just something simple like:

I’m terribly sorry to hear about your sister, please accept my condolences (or sympathies). Just email me when you get back.

Nothing against you Em but I wouldn’t use condolences or sympathies because the sister is not dead yet. I had a terminally ill sister, I think Beck’s response would be better received.

 

[Em_in_FL]

Nothing against you Em but I wouldn’t use condolences or sympathies because the sister is not dead yet. I had a terminally ill sister, I think Beck’s response would be better received.

Solid point… agreed!

 

[nodito]

Thanks for letting me know. I’m so sorry to hear about your sister. Please take as much time as you need.

 

[iluvmybabies]

Everyone here gave great advise, I had a friend whom last year lost her mother…And she was gone for a while from work, and I wasn’t visiting her at home while their whole family was mourning…That’s just rude! No matter how much I wanted to be there for her, I wasn’t invited to the wake or funeral…It was just close family…And I understood…

I wrote several passages from the Bible in the email I sent her (kind of like , attached with a greeting card that was relious it was something serene not extravagant nor something that would cause harm, or make her feel uncomfortable you know?! And of course how I felt, words can’t really help anyone during those times, but just a small expression of your feelings towards their loss usually gives them some kind of small comfort…even if it’s minute you know!?

11:16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters
gone by.

17 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like
morning.

18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and
take your rest in safety