Message of Condolence — Complete Guide
What is a Message of Condolence?
A message of condolence is a short formal message written to express sympathy and sorrow to someone who has lost a family member, relative, friend or respected person. It shows care, respect and support during a difficult time.
Why Do We Write a Message of Condolence?
Writing a message of condolence is a way of sharing the grief of others and offering emotional support. In the SEE examination, students are sometimes asked to write a short message of condolence based on given information. It tests the ability to write polite, formal and sincere messages.
- To express sympathy and sorrow
- To show respect and support to the bereaved family
- To comfort someone in their time of grief
- It is a practical writing task in SEE English
Structure of a Message of Condolence
- 1Date (optional but good to include)
- 2Salutation: Dear … / Respected …
- 3Body: Express shock or sorrow, mention the deceased person, offer sympathy and support, and wish strength to the family.
- 4Closing: Yours sincerely / With deepest sympathy, followed by the name of the sender.
Language Features
- Use formal, polite and sincere language
- Express genuine sorrow and sympathy
- Keep the message short and respectful
- Avoid casual or light-hearted expressions
- Use phrases such as “I am deeply saddened”, “Please accept my heartfelt condolences”, “May his/her soul rest in peace”
Useful Phrases
| Purpose | Useful Expressions |
|---|---|
| Expressing sorrow | I was deeply saddened to hear…, I am shocked and grieved…, It is with great sorrow that I learnt… |
| Offering sympathy | Please accept my heartfelt condolences…, My deepest sympathy to you and your family… |
| Prayer / Wish | May his/her soul rest in peace…, May God give you strength to bear this loss… |
| Closing | With deepest sympathy, Yours sincerely |
Tips for Writing a Message of Condolence (SEE)
- 1Keep the message short, formal and sincere.
- 2Mention the name of the deceased person if given.
- 3Express sorrow and offer sympathy clearly.
- 4Wish strength and peace to the family.
- 5Use polite and respectful language.
- 6End with a proper closing and your name.
- 7Do not write long stories or unnecessary details.
- 8Check spelling and tone carefully.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1Using informal or casual language.
- 2Making the message too long.
- 3Forgetting to express sympathy clearly.
- 4Using light or inappropriate expressions.
- 5Missing the name of the deceased or the receiver.
- 6Writing in an emotional or dramatic style instead of a calm and respectful tone.
How Message of Condolence Appears in SEE
- Write a message of condolence to your friend on the death of his/her…
- Prepare a short message expressing sympathy…
- Write a message of condolence in about 50–80 words.
Model Example
Date: 13th August 2026 Dear Suman, I was deeply saddened to hear about the sudden passing of your father. He was a kind and respected person, and his loss is truly painful. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I pray that his soul rests in peace and that God gives you and your family the strength to bear this great loss. With deepest sympathy, Hari
Quick Revision
- Short, formal and sincere message
- Express sorrow + offer sympathy + wish strength
- Use polite and respectful language
- Mention the deceased person
- End with a proper closing and your name
- Keep it brief (about 50–80 words)
Message of Condolence — Practice
Study the situations carefully. Write your own message of condolence first. Then compare it with the model answer.
Example 1
Situation: Write a message of condolence to your friend on the death of his mother. Model Message: Dear Ramesh, I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the untimely demise of your beloved mother. She was a kind and caring person. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I pray that her soul rests in peace and that God gives you and your family the strength to bear this painful loss. With deepest sympathy, Sita
Example 2
Situation: Write a message of condolence to your teacher on the death of his/her father. Model Message: Respected Sir, I was deeply grieved to learn about the sad demise of your father. It is a great loss for you and your family. Please accept my sincere condolences. I pray that his soul rests in peace and that you find the strength to face this difficult time. With deepest sympathy, Your student, Bikash Thapa
Example 3
Situation: Write a message of condolence to a friend on the death of his younger brother. Model Message: Dear Prakash, I am extremely sorry to hear about the sudden passing of your younger brother. The news has filled me with deep sorrow. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. May his soul rest in peace and may God give you and your family the courage to bear this great loss. Yours sincerely, Anita
Example 4
Situation: Write a message of condolence to your neighbour on the death of her husband. Model Message: Dear Mrs. Shrestha, I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your husband. He was a respected and helpful member of our community. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I pray that his soul rests in peace and that you and your family find strength during this difficult time. With deepest sympathy, Gita Sharma
Example 5
Situation: Write a message of condolence to a classmate on the death of his grandfather. Model Message: Dear Nabin, I was very sad to hear about the demise of your grandfather. I know how much he meant to you and your family. Please accept my sincere condolences. May his soul rest in peace and may God give you all the strength to bear this loss. With sympathy, Sunita