Communication Etiquette When Contacting Grieving

Sometimes we may feel we are intruding on a family when they are grieving, but it's with the help of friends and family we are able to get through it. There are many ways you can let the family know you are thinking of them. Use some of the guidelines we have provided to learn communication etiquette about the right things to say and do.

Below are some suggestions on how you may want to contact the grieving family:

• Make a phone call - if they don't want to answer, they won't and you can leave them a message
• Attend the memorial or visitation
• Send a sympathy gift, funeral flowers or make a charitable donation to a cause
• Send a handwritten sympathy note
• Send an email (see below)
• Post to a Heart2Soul Online Community

Emailing Condolences

According to Peggy Post, director and spokesperson for The Emily Post^® Institute, using email is an appropriate form of communication if you are sure the intended recipient checks their email frequently. An email message should be followed by a handwritten sympathy note and, whenever possible, try to attend the visitation or memorial.

You could also check our Heart2Soul Community to see if one has been set up. Here you can leave a message for the family, upload photographs, stay up to date on service information and provide support.