Condolences Don’t Do List

Knowing the right words to frame comforting condolences often does not come naturally. Here are some categories of condolences to avoid:

• Expressions of knowing exactly how the other person feels.
• Telling a story that compares their loss to a different loss experienced by yourself or a friend.
• Stating that death is a reality or the death wasn’t a surprise by mentioning the deceased person’s age or illness.
• Silence.

See Scott Simon, 7 Things No Grieving Person Wants To Hear (And What To Say Instead), Huffington Post, Apr. 7, 2015.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse for bringing this article to my attention.