What to write in a condolence card: 40 messages

How to write when you cannot find the words

You can start by acknowledging the loss, add a line of support and finish with your signature. You do not need to explain what the other person feels or find a phrase that takes away their pain.

In the shop, when someone gets stuck on the card, we suggest a simple approach: write as you would speak when giving the flowers. A short message that sounds like you usually expresses affection better than a very solemn formula you would never use in person.

Before choosing, decide who you are writing to. A card is usually addressed to the family or whoever receives the flowers; a ribbon can be addressed to the person who died. This helps you avoid switching between addressees and creating a confusing message.

The following 40 messages are grouped by relationship and context. Choose one, adapt it for one person or several, and add your signature. You do not need to combine several to make the message feel more complete.

Formal messages: when you are less close

Use a respectful tone for acquaintances, neighbours or families you do not know well. You can make formal wording more familiar if that is how you usually speak to each other. Avoid attributing qualities or memories to someone you did not know.

1. ‘Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. I am thinking of you at this difficult time.’
2. ‘I am deeply sorry for your loss and send a warm embrace to the whole family.’
3. ‘My sincere condolences. I hope you find companionship and support in the days ahead.’
4. ‘With respect and affection, I join you in remembering your loved one.’
5. ‘I want to offer my condolences and let you know I am here for you at this time.’
6. ‘Please accept these flowers as a sign of my affection and support.’

For close family and friends

Here you can use everyday language, mention your relationship or share a genuine memory. If you add something personal, keep it small and clear: a conversation, a habit or something you are grateful for. Do not turn the card into an account of your own grief.

7. ‘Sending you a hug with all my love. I am here for whatever you need.’
8. ‘I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts, and I send you all a big hug.’
9. ‘I cannot find enough words, but I want you to know I am here.’
10. ‘I will always remember their kindness and the moments we shared. Sending you all a heartfelt hug.’
11. ‘Thank you for letting me share so many memories with your family. I am here for you with much love.’
12. ‘I wish I could give you a hug today. These flowers carry all my love for you and your family.’

Messages about shared memories only fit if you have them. If you are supporting a friend but did not know her father, focus on her. You can also offer specific help, provided you can follow through: collecting the children or bringing a meal.

For a colleague or from a business

A team message can be warm without becoming too personal. Agree on who signs and check that the recipient will recognise the department or company name. If you are writing personally, use your own signature.

13. ‘The whole team is thinking of you during these days. With our affection and condolences.’
14. ‘From your colleagues, a warm embrace for you and your whole family.’
15. ‘We are deeply sorry for your loss. With affection, the team at [company].’
16. ‘We share your sadness and want to offer our support. Your colleagues in [department].’
17. ‘On behalf of [company], we send our most sincere condolences to the family.’

Replace the text in brackets before sending the message. The card is there to support the person; questions about leave, deadlines or returning to work belong in a separate conversation.

Without religious references

These are useful options if you do not know the family’s beliefs or if you prefer to speak about affection and remembrance. They do not need to say that the person who died is in a particular place or that there is an explanation for the loss.

18. ‘Their memory will live on in those of us who loved them. I am here for you with all my affection.’
19. ‘What we shared stays with us. A warm embrace for the whole family.’
20. ‘With gratitude for their life and affection for those saying goodbye today.’
21. ‘These flowers are a small way of being close to you and honouring their memory.’

With religious references

Choose these messages when you know faith is part of the family’s comfort. You can adapt the person’s name and form of address while keeping the message simple. Sharing a belief does not mean you have to find a religious explanation for the death.

22. ‘May God be with you and comfort you at this time. You are in my prayers.’
23. ‘With faith in eternal rest and all our love for the family.’
24. ‘We pray to God for their rest and for peace for those remembering them today.’
25. ‘May they rest in the peace of the Lord. We are with you in prayer and affection.’

Short messages for a wreath ribbon

A ribbon needs just a few words that are easy to read. As a guide, choose a dedication of around three to seven words and a short signature; this is not a technical limit. Confirm the space and how the text will be arranged before approving it.

26. ‘Always in our thoughts.’
27. ‘With all our love.’
28. ‘Your family will never forget you.’
29. ‘Thank you for so much love.’
30. ‘Your colleagues remember you.’
31. ‘With love and gratitude.’
32. ‘Farewell, with love.’

The signature can be your name, your family’s name or your team’s name. If you choose the message about colleagues, make sure it describes your relationship with the person who died. Keep the longer message for the card.

Vuit frases de condol en català (Eight condolence messages in Catalan)

Use Catalan if it is the language you share. These suggestions include personal, formal, collective and religious tones, as well as a short dedication. If you are addressing several people, adapt the possessives and verbs too: ‘Et faig arribar tot el meu afecte. Soc al teu costat’ (I send you all my affection. I am by your side) becomes ‘Us faig arribar tot el meu afecte. Soc al vostre costat’ (I send you all my affection. I am by your side — addressing several people); ‘rep una abraçada’ (accept a hug) becomes ‘rebeu una abraçada’ (accept a hug — addressing several people).

33. ‘Em sap molt de greu la vostra pèrdua. Us envio una abraçada ben forta.’ (I am so sorry for your loss. I send you a very big hug.)
34. ‘Et faig arribar tot el meu afecte. Soc al teu costat en aquests moments difícils.’ (I send you all my affection. I am by your side at this difficult time.)
35. ‘El seu record ens acompanyarà sempre. Una abraçada a tota la família.’ (Their memory will always be with us. A hug for the whole family.)
36. ‘Rebeu el nostre condol més sincer i tot el nostre suport.’ (Please accept our most sincere condolences and all our support.)
37. ‘De part de tot l’equip, rep una abraçada i el nostre afecte.’ (From the whole team, a hug and our affection.)
38. ‘Sempre en el nostre record.’ (Always in our thoughts.)
39. ‘Que Déu us doni consol i pau. Us tenim presents en les nostres pregàries.’ (May God give you comfort and peace. You are in our prayers.)
40. ‘Amb gratitud per tot el que vam compartir i amb estima per la vostra família.’ (With gratitude for all we shared and affection for your family.)

What to check before sending the card

Avoid claiming you know exactly how the recipient feels, asking them to be strong or saying everything happens for a reason. It is better to acknowledge the loss without telling them how they should experience it. There is no need to ask for a reply either.

Read the message aloud once. Check names, surnames, whether you are addressing one person or several, and the signature. If several people are involved in sending the flowers, agree on a final version so the family receives a coherent dedication.

If you send flowers with Espafloria

The card with your message is free. You can choose from the condolence arrangements, such as the white arrangement at 69 €, Calma at 45 €, 11 white roses at 59 € or 25 alstroemerias at 39 €.

For same-day delivery in Barcelona, you must order before 16:00. Confirm the address, who will receive the flowers and the date; if you wish, we can send you a photo of the bouquet before delivery.