LETTER OF CONDOLENCE

Our sample condolence letter template provides managers with an effective way to demonstrate thoughtfulness and caring to employees and clients in a professional manner.

One of the most difficult kinds of letters to write is one of sympathy for the loss of a loved one. Leaders can serve a larger purpose to their employees when tragedy strikes.

While there are many common tips that can be useful to a leader as she prepares to send a sympathy card or letter of condolence, the most important thing to remember is that there is a human element involved here that may override the employee's ability to maintain a totally calm and professional emotional state.

Managers need to afford employees the time necessary to grasp the total weight of their loss and to allow the employee room to deal with their emotions.

In preparation, you can utilize our sample condolence letter template to properly put your thoughts on paper.

Keep the following tips in mind as you prepare to express your sympathy to an employee, friend or family member who has just recently suffered a loss:

• If applicable, briefly describe how you admired and respected the deceased.
• Provide a sentence or two about the unique strengths, talents and achievements of the deceased.
• Be sure to balance your words between being professional and using more formal tone to one of personal sympathy. This is not always easy as a condolence letter tends to be personal in nature.
• Be respectful of the mourner's emotional state. He is probably quite drained emotionally, so it's important to keep your letter brief.
• Offer your willingness to assist the mourner, and make sure you are prepared to answer the call should a specific need arise.
• Given you are representative of your organization, be careful not to delve too deeply into religious statements that might not be perceived by all parties in way you mean. Use common sense and good judgment here.
• Treat the person in the way you would hope to be treated if the roles were reversed. Consider what would mean the most to you if the roles were reversed.

Sample Condolence Letter Writing Tips

The personal encouragement from an employer or team leader at a time when the employee is dealing with a difficult situation can be a major opportunity to connect and build trust with that employee.

Words of support and understanding are extremely powerful in these types of circumstances.

A sympathy card or letter of condolence provides the employee with something concrete that they can share and keep as a reminder of all those who where there to support them during their time of personal crisis.

Managers are encouraged to take a few extra moments to hand write their note. Handwritten notes are always appropriate in times of sorrow and sadness. Hand writing the note maintains a personal touch to the sympathy card or letter of condolence.

We encourage you to make use of our easy reference sample condolence letter template, which is just one in a collection of business writing templates available for free download.

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