Death of a Co-worker

by Sarah
(Reno, NV, USA)

In 2007 a man I worked with died in a car accident. We had been working together for over a year. The company I worked for helped financially support the family for the burial and after funeral meal. I wasn’t terribly close to him but a few months before the accident I was starting to get to know him pretty well. Because of that I was devastated and felt so much sympathy for his family. This is what I wrote:

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Peters,

I am deeply sorry for your loss. My name is Sarah and I have been fortunate to have worked with Roger for the past year and a half. Every day that he came to work he seemed very happy and ready to get to work.

I met him once at a park nearby and was pleasantly surprised that his personality didn’t change from a personal setting to a private one. I know this is such a painful thing to go through but I want you to know that that there are many people here, myself included, that truly cared for him.

Finally, if there's anything we can do for you please feel free to call me. I can be reached at 222-222-222.

Sincerely,
Sarah

Lanard's Comments: Death is often surprising and unexpected and most always leave you ill prepared to offer condolences when you need to the most. Here's what you can use for those occasions...

The Art of Condolence: What to Write, What to Say, What to Do at a Time of Loss