80 Condolence messages to show sympathy.

Condolence messages for loss of a parent.

Parents leave a legacy, but that doesn’t mean we grieve less when we lose them. What do you say? How do you pick the right condolence messages for loss of a mother, or the best condolence messages for loss of a father?

Here are the messages that give you many different ways to approach every loss — and every loved one left behind.

Remember: switch “them” and “their” for the late parent’s name or “him,” “her,” “his,” hers,” respectively. These messages are fully personalizable for each situation.

Saying “I’m here for anything” sometimes puts a burden on the grieving person to ask for help. Offer specific ideas instead.

Condolence messages often recognize that grief hurts. Some people need this validation — it’s normal, and it’s OK to feel.

Metaphors can give someone in grief powerful visuals to anchor them.

The effect memories have on us does change over time, even though the memories stay the same.

Condolence card messages of sympathy, help, and healing.

When we write condolence cards or letters, or even send a message online, we have more time to choose our words. We can reread our messages and put ourselves in the place of the recipient. This gives us the time to be more careful and considerate, and it opens the door to more introspective messages that risk sounding odd or pretentious out loud.

This allows us to share more heartfelt condolence messages, too. We can say things that are too hard to say in person. Peruse these condolence card messages and see which ones contain an important sentiment for you.

The hope is that, with time, the days when they feel close outnumber the days when grief feels fathomless.

Include a letter with a memory you treasure of the person who passed away.

You can replace the “warmth of the sun” or the “peace of a familiar song” with something else that brings joy to the person you’re writing to.

How to craft meaningful condolence messages.

Condolence messages for cards often use visuals that can inspire beautiful card designs, like this simile.

Condolence messages to a friend or colleague.

Condolence messages for coworkers share something in common with sympathy for friends, though the level of intimacy can be poles apart. When these losses happen, we usually hear about it from the person after it already took place. Over lunch with a friend, or in an email from a colleague, the news comes out. We see their sadness and feel their sorrow, but we rarely know what to say. These condolence messages for friends and colleagues put our words to work.

Condolence messages for friends often refer to people we met at some point, and we can help honor their memory.

A lot of condolence messages for coworkers will be sent via email, even while the coworker is out of office on bereavement.

Even when you aren’t close to a colleague or acquaintance, you can point them to the people who are ready to support them.

There are some losses that leave you lost for words, like when a friend or colleague loses a partner. This message is a place to start.

Pet condolence messages to show you really care.

Losing a pet is hard enough, and some people struggle even more because they feel judged for grieving so deeply.

Losing a pet, however, is truly terrible. Every time, it hurts. Every time, we struggle. When you see someone going through this, that’s when you can turn to these pet condolence messages to support, validate, and do what you can to help.

Validate the grief someone feels after losing a pet.

Remind people how much they did for their pets, and it can be a comfort to know that at least their pet lived as well as anyone could dream.

Pets live for far shorter periods than we would like. This message reminds us that saying goodbye is part of loving a pet.

This encourages the person grieving to take in the quiet moments, too, because even the painful memories will help heal.

Condolence messages short enough to use absolutely anywhere.

Short condolence messages are best for cards, messages, and statements you make as you pass through a wake or funeral. In 74 characters or less, these condolence messages manage to touch aspects of grief that are relatable and introspective.

Condolence text messages can also be sent as reminders for those who need them, even weeks and months after a loss. Funeral condolence messages, too, are short so that they can be written on cards in flowers or with donations in someone’s honor.

Condolence messages short enough to be memorized can also bring sincere and impactful meaning at the perfect time, whenever it comes up. Peruse these condolence message ideas and see which ones speak to you.

This message is sweet and sorrowful for a large family whose loved one left behind many friends and relatives.

Use condolence text messages to encourage texts back, too.

A short message can remind someone of the support they have.

This is a beautiful metaphor to use on a collage of photos or in a sympathy card.

Tips for meaningful ways to deliver messages of sympathy.

Condolence messages aren’t just for cards, letters, or text messages. They can be made more meaningful in other mediums. They can be turned into sources of comfort or inspiration, too. Think, for example, about using condolence messages in:

• A small keepsake poster with a cherished photo.
• A graphic shared privately in a DM.
• A voice memo or video where you send a spoken message instead.
• Custom sympathy cards with a more personal touch.
• Announcements to share the details of a wake or funeral and to commemorate the person lost.

You can combine your condolence messages with other messages, too, if you don’t want to focus only on grief. Combine sympathy with love messages or “thinking of you” messages, because you never know where someone you care about will find comfort.

Exercise: Choose the most appropriate condolence messages.

If you see several messages that resonate but you aren’t sure which is the right message for someone you know, work your way through these points.

1. Assess the person’s emotional state. Do you see deep grief or numbness? Is this person struggling to focus? Choose a message that is comforting and steady.

2. Consider different communication styles. Is this person private or more expressive? Try direct support for more private people, and introspective messages for expressive people.

3. Always acknowledge the loss. Was it a parent, spouse, or pet that this person lost? Take these condolence messages and personalize them to honor the unique bond with the loved one lost.

Adobe Express can help.

Adobe Express has templates and customization tools to put your favorite condolence messages to work. If you want to use condolence messages in cards, letters, posters, banners, photo collages, flyers, or other creative projects, Adobe Express makes it as simple as picking a template and personalizing it, or making your own idea with easy-to-use tools. Whatever message you want to transmit, Adobe Express brings it to life, no experience required.