Pet loss – words of condolence

PET LOSS – WORDS OF CONDOLENCE

It can be difficult to know what to say when someone passes away. Death is often an uncomfortable topic, making it hard to express your feelings of condolence and sympathy to the survivor. Suzie Kobler from Obituaries Help shares with us some effective ways you can express your words of condolence based on what is appropriate and what you feel the most comfortable with.

A Letter of Condolence
Back before technology made instant communication the norm, letters were the traditional way of expressing condolences. Even with the other options available, they are still a good way to show your support and concern. The main benefit with letters of condolences is that they can be read when it is convenient and re-read as often as needed. They can be shared with others to help with the grieving process.

Messages of Condolence
Thanks to the internet, you can now send messages of support as soon as you hear the sad news of someone’s death. This allows you to offer support immediately, often when it is most needed. A quick text message or email can let the person know you heard the news and are offering your condolences without going into great detail. This is also a good method for those people that prefer short messages.When writing a message, remember that you can keep it short and sweet. The person reading the message may be busy so it is acceptable to get right to the point. If you feel that you need to say more, you can follow up with a letter or phone call at a later time.

Flowers
If you do not know the family or didn’t know the deceased very well but want to express your condolences, it is perfectly acceptable to just send flowers or a financial donation to the organization of the family’s choice.A simple card with a single message can convey your sympathies without requiring you to compose an entire message. This option is appropriate for many situations, including when the person is a co-worker that you only knew by name or someone you knew in passing in the community. Just make sure you include your full name so the person knows who the card came from.

A Phone Call or In-Person Visit
A phone call or personal visit is often the appropriate method of conveying your condolences when it is someone you knew very well or were related to. However, many people are not sure what to say and avoid the one-on-one interaction. The important thing to remember is that it is the fact that you called that the bereaved will remember more than what you say. In fact, don’t feel like you have to say a great deal besides “I’m sorry for your loss” or some other version.If you are comfortable talking about the deceased, you can communicate your feelings to the person. It is appropriate to reminisce about special memories or occasions. You can even tell a funny story about the deceased person without feeling guilty. In fact, it may be just what the other person needed to hear after all of the somber moments and sadness they have been feeling.

FOR USA PET LOVERS...

Timing
The timing of when to express your condolences through the various methods can vary. There is no hard and fast rule. For instance, if you just heard about someone’s death even though it was six months ago, you can send a letter or email stating that you just learned of the news. You never know when your message could come at a good time to cheer them up. Grief extends long past the funeral or memorial service.You can also prepare the way for a phone call or visit through a letter or message by saying that you will talk with them next week or in a couple of weeks.

Your Choice
Any of these methods are acceptable ways of expressing your condolences for a loved one. The choice is up to you based on the situation and what you feel most comfortable with. After all, it is more important that the bereaved feel your support than in how you choose to show it.

About the author

Suzie Kolber is a writer at Obituaries Help. This site is a complete guide for someone seeking help for writing words of condolence, sympathy messages, condolence letters and funeral planning resources.

All pet loss articles

• Pet loss – words of condolence
  PET LOSS – WORDS OF CONDOLENCE It can be difficult to know what to say when someone passes away. Death is often an uncomfortable topic, making it hard to
• Navigating grief with the help of man’s best friend
  Losing a loved family member can fill us with grief. Having a pet around can help you cope with that loss. Here, house call doctor, Dr Ryan Harvey tells
• Seniors and pets: Growing old with pets
  Seniors and pets: Growing old with pets There are many advantages to living with a pet as you grow old. While elderly people often worry about leaving their pet
• Losing an animal friend: Coping with pet loss grief
  Losing an Animal Friend: Coping with pet loss grief Coping with the death of a pet Losing a friend is sad. When our best mate has fur, four paws
• Pet loss – a guide for parents to Help Understand and Explain to Children
  Pet loss – a guide for parents Pet loss is never easy. When your child has lost their beloved pet, you have to cope with their grief, as well
• The golden rule on how to care for yourself while caring for animals
  Caring for animals can be a joy and it can be a heartbreak! Care for yourself needs to be a priority. When we don’t take care of ourselves the
• Why losing a dog can be harder than losing a relative or friend
  WHY LOSING A DOG CAN BE HARDER THAN LOSING A RELATIVE OR FRIEND When you love pets, often the hardest part of pet ownership is saying goodbye. People are
• Pets Grieving the Loss of Other Pets
  PETS GRIEVING THE LOSS OF OTHER PETS It’s not only humans who suffer when a pet dies. Pets can too. Tom Jorgensen, from Pet Angel Funerals explains to Pet
• Deciding the Right Time to Say Goodbye to Your Family Pet
  Deciding the Right Time to Say Goodbye to Your Family Pet. Never an easy decision but deciding the right time to say goodbye to your pet is an important consideration in any human-animal relationship.

"