When a coworker loses someone, it can be hard to know how personal to be. A sympathy message for a coworker should be kind, short and respectful of their privacy. Here are condolence messages for colleagues from you, from the whole team and from a manager, plus wording for the loss of a parent, spouse or beloved pet.
47 original messages. Tap copy, then add a personal line.
Safe, respectful wording for colleagues you don't know well, or for a work email.
I was so sorry to hear about your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy from all of us at work. Take all the time you need.
I'm very sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace and comfort.
My heartfelt condolences to you and all of your loved ones at this time.
Please know you're in our thoughts. We're here to support you however we can.
So sorry to hear your news. Sending kind thoughts your way.
Wishing you strength and comfort as you grieve. Don't worry about anything here.
For a colleague you're close to, you can be warmer and offer personal support.
I'm so sorry. You've always had my back at work, and I've got yours now, inside the office and out.
I'll miss our coffee breaks while you're away, but take every day you need. I'll text, and you don't have to answer.
I've got your Thursday client calls covered, so please don't think about them. Just be with your family.
We sit ten feet apart, but I wish I could do more than send a card. I'm here, truly, for anything.
You talk about your family with such love. I'm so sorry for what you're going through right now.
When you're back, lunch is on me, and we can talk about them or about nothing at all. Your choice.
Thinking of you, friend. The office isn't the same without you, but there's no hurry at all.
For a shared card, keep each line short so there's room for everyone. These also work as the main message at the top.
From all of us on the team: we're so sorry for your loss, and we're here for you.
With love and sympathy from your colleagues in accounts. Take all the time you need.
The whole team is thinking of you and your family. Please lean on us.
We're sending our deepest condolences and a promise that your desk and your work are in good hands.
Thinking of you, and so sorry for your loss. Here if you need me. – Jamal
So sorry, Priya. You're in my thoughts, and I'm happy to help with anything. – Tom
Wishing you and your family peace and comfort. We miss you and we're thinking of you.
A manager's note should remove pressure. Mention time off and support, never deadlines.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Please take the time you need. Your work is covered, and we'll be glad to see you whenever you're ready.
Your family comes first right now. Don't check email. If anything needs your input, it can wait.
On behalf of the whole department, please accept our sincere sympathy. Let me know if there's anything we can do to help.
I've arranged for the team to cover your projects. When you return, we can talk about easing back in at a pace that works for you.
Please know you have our full support. Reach out if you'd like information about bereavement leave or our support program.
Thinking of you and your family. You're a valued part of this team, and we're here for you in every way we can be.
There is no expectation here except that you take care of yourself. With deepest sympathy.
I'm so sorry about your mom. I know how often you'd step out to call her. She was clearly so loved.
Sending sympathy on the loss of your father. I hope the memories you shared bring you comfort.
I'm sorry for the loss of your dad. You mentioned his woodworking so often. He sounds like a gifted man.
Losing a parent is so hard at any age. Please take good care of yourself, and don't rush back.
Thinking of you as you say goodbye to your mother. You flew home so often to be with her. She knew she was loved.
With heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your father. We're all thinking of you.
This loss changes everything at home. Be gentle, and be ready to help for a long time.
I'm so deeply sorry about your husband. I'll always remember how he'd wave from the car at pickup every evening.
There are no words for losing your partner. We're here for you now and in all the months ahead.
I'm heartbroken for you. Please don't give work a second thought. We'll take care of everything here.
Your wife's warmth at every holiday party made all of us feel like family. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Thinking of you and your children. If meals, errands or rides would help, the team would love to do it.
I'm so sorry. Whenever you come back, at whatever pace, we'll make it as easy for you as we can.
Losing a pet is real grief. A short note shows you understand that.
I'm so sorry about Biscuit. The office will miss his photos on your desk. He was clearly family.
Losing a dog means losing a best friend. Thinking of you this week.
I'm sorry about your cat. Fourteen years of companionship is a lot of love to say goodbye to.
Sending a hug for you and your family. Pets leave such big paw prints on our hearts.
I'll miss hearing your stories about Luna's latest mischief. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Your pup was lucky to have you. Take it easy on yourself today.
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Match your message to your relationship. For someone you barely know, two short sentences are right: "I'm so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family." For a work friend, you can add a memory, a personal offer of help or a note that you'll cover something for them.
Respect their privacy. Don't mention how the person died unless your coworker has shared it openly, and don't ask questions in the card. Keep religious language out unless you know it fits. If you're unsure, it's better to be short and kind than long and personal.
When a whole team signs one card, someone should write the main message at the top, such as "With deepest sympathy from all of us in the marketing team." Everyone else can then add a short line and their name. Leave enough space so the last signers aren't squeezed into a corner.
Avoid jokes, inside references or anything about work projects. Sign your full name in a large office, because your coworker may not know every first name. If you hardly know them, "Thinking of you. – [Your name]" is perfectly fine.
A manager's message carries extra weight, because the employee may be worrying about their job and workload. Say you're sorry, then clearly remove pressure: their work is covered, they shouldn't check email, and there's no rush to return.
If your company has bereavement leave or an employee assistance program, it can help to mention it briefly, but keep HR details out of the card itself if possible. A separate short email or call works better for that. Never mention deadlines, targets or how the team is coping without them.
Their first day back can feel awkward for everyone. A quiet "I'm glad you're back, and I'm sorry about your loss" is enough. Don't ignore it, but don't make it a big moment in front of others either. Let them decide how much they want to talk.
Offer to help them catch up, and be patient if they seem distracted or tired for a while. Grief often lasts far longer than bereavement leave, and hard days can surprise people months later. A quick check-in a few weeks on, like "How are you holding up?", shows you haven't forgotten.
If you've been asked to speak about a colleague at their memorial, our eulogy guide can help you honor them with care. Toastful's writer can turn your memories of working together into a gentle first draft.
Open the guideKeep it short, kind and free of pressure. For example: "I'm so sorry for your loss. Please take all the time you need, and know we're thinking of you." If you're close, add a memory or a practical offer, like covering a meeting. Avoid questions about how the person died and leave work topics out of the card.
One or two simple sentences are perfect. Try "I was sorry to hear about your loss. Wishing you peace and comfort" or "Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time." Sign your full name so they know who you are. It's normal not to have anything personal to add, and a short note is still appreciated.
Yes, especially if you work remotely or in another office. Keep the email brief and use a clear subject line like "Thinking of you." Don't copy in the whole team or ask anything that needs a reply. If you're close, a handwritten card or a group card from the team is a nice addition later.
Usually the manager or a close teammate takes the lead. They choose a card, write the opening message and pass it around quietly, or set up a digital card for remote teams. Many teams also send flowers to the service or a meal to the home. Check first whether the family has asked for donations to a charity instead of flowers.
Professional options include "Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss" and "With deepest sympathy to you and your family." These suit clients, colleagues in other departments and people senior to you. In the UK and Commonwealth countries, "With deepest sympathy" and "Thinking of you at this sad time" are very common, and sound neither cold nor overly familiar.
If the service is open and you know your coworker reasonably well, going is usually appreciated. It shows support without needing words. Sign the guest book with your name and "from work" so the family knows who you are. If the funeral is private or family-only, a card is the right way to show you care.