A sympathy letter or a letter of sympathy is an informal or occasionally formal letter written to offer one’s sympathies and condolences to someone who has gone through or is going through a difficult time. Such letters, even if written in a formal context, carry an informal tone, as emotional letters can’t be formal or official. A sympathy letter might also include an invitation to share emotions, only if the addressee is willing to and is comfortable in doing so.
Letters of sympathy are some of the most sentimental letters and have to be written with great care and compassion. The writer has to be empathetic and kind. These letters can be long or short depending on the writer and the recipient and their relationship. If it’s a sympathy letter from one colleague to another, the letter has to be short. If the letter is from one friend to another, the letter can be long. The letter has to be soothing and comforting and must not include any questions about the causes behind such grievances.
Tips To Write A Letter Of Sympathy
- Always express deep regret at what has happened. Never be too regretful or sad, as this will only make the recipient sadder. However, keep your tone grim and practical.
- Never be too sentimental. Give courage to the receiver.
- No matter how close you are to the person, don’t make a sympathy letter too big. The person is going to be sad as it is and will not have much patience to read a long letter.
- Simply let him/her know that you’re sorry for what has happened and that you are there for the person if he or she needs you.
Template
Use our free Sympathy Letter to help you get started. If you need additional help or more examples check out some of the sample letters below.
From,
_________
_________
________
Date:___________ (Date on which the letter is written)
To,
______
_________
________
Dear_____ [Name of recipient],
I feel very sorry to hear about _________ [mention the regretful thing that has happened]. It was extremely unfortunate for ___________ [mention a few details of the incident]. You have my heartfelt condolences and support. Please remember, I am always there for you.
Sometimes, life throws volleys at us that we cannot do anything but facing them. We are puzzled as to why some things happen to us and why not to others, we wonder about the logic of it all. But let me tell you, these questions get us nowhere. We don’t realize it, but by contemplating too much upon it, we’re only depressing ourselves further. I want you to know that things get better, the situation gets better, and life gets better.
Please take care of yourself. Don’t let yourself slip. Take care of your health, your academics, and your personal life. Call me anytime you wish to. I will be there for you.
Take care,
Regards,
_________ [your name]
Sample Letter
From,
Trupti Gupta,
House No. 8,
Palace Garden,
California.
9 May 2004.
To,
Elizabeth Kira,
Blue Blossom housing,
LA.
Dear Elizabeth,
I feel extremely sad to be writing this letter, and I wish there were something I could do to lessen your grief. Death of a pet is one of the most grievous things to happen to someone. I wish Max had lived longer; he was the sweetest cat ever. I hope you are fine now. Please remember, I am always there for you.
Sometimes, life throws volleys at us that we cannot do anything but facing them. We are puzzled as to why some things happen to us and why not to others, we wonder about the logic of it all. But let me tell you, these questions get us nowhere. We don’t realize it, but by contemplating too much upon it, we’re only depressing ourselves further. I want you to know that things get better, the situation gets better, and life gets better.
Please take care of yourself. Don’t let yourself slip. Take care of your health, your academics, and your personal life. Call me anytime you wish to. I will be there for you.
Take care,
Regards,
Trupti Gupta.
Email Format
The following is the E-mail format to be followed for Letter of Sympathy.
To: name@email.com
From: name@email.com
SUBJECT: Letter of Sympathy
Dear ____________ (name of the person who has met with the accident)
I have just learned from ____________ (source) that you have met with an accident and are due for a surgery in a couple of days.
Please do not worry as we all are very confident that you will come out of this stronger than what you have ever been. Each incident in your life has taught you something new and has toughened you as a human being. So it is your willpower that will help you fight this also.
Our good wishes and support are always there with you. You have a friend in me in this part of the world that is just a shout away, so please do not hesitate to call me any time of the day.
My family joins me in wishing you a speedy recovery.
Take care and see you back home soon.
Best regards,
(Name of the writer)
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