Losing a loved one is hard, and it can be kind of hard to figure out exactly what to say to someone who lost a parent. The thing is that you want to be there for someone who has lost a parent, but nothing you say will ever bring the lost loved one back.
The most important part of figuring out what to say to someone who lost a parent is to find the best way to comfort and show him/her that you are a shoulder to lean on.
Here are some sample messages that can help you figure out what to say to someone who lost a parent in a sympathy card:
What to Say to Someone Who Lost a Parent When it’s Your Good Friend
If your good friend loses a parent, the chances are that you know him/her. Perhaps, you even had a close relationship with the deceased person.
This means that you can understand what the loss means to your friend, and it is your duty as a friend to be there in any way that you possibly can.
It can be tough to figure out what to say to someone who lost a parent when it’s your good friend, so here are seven ideas that you can use:
01The lessons learned from a father never fade away; they get passed down from generation to generation.
I learned wonderful things from him, and I know you will teach these great lessons to your kids in honor of his memory.
He is now gone, but he will never be forgotten. His words and teachings will live forever in our hearts, and the hearts of his descendants.
Photo by Peter Dlhy on Unsplash
02Your mother is one of the strongest people I have ever known.
After all that she has been through, especially with her battle with cancer, she was still able to put on a brave face and do what she needed to do for her family.
In her last moments, she was helping others and didn’t once complain about her condition. She did a lot in her time on Earth, and now she can finally rest in peace.
03I am so honored to have known someone like your father.
He’s the type of man who would bring everyone joy and comfort at their lowest points, while giving them the push they needed to realize their potential and love without reservations.
He will be missed deeply.
04The strength of a woman is like no other, and your mother embodied this to the fullest degree. Her warm and caring spirit was appreciated by everyone, and her words of wisdom were a guiding light in the storms of life.
She was an angel while she was with us, and I know she is looking down and smiling at the fact that you are able to be brave for your family.
If you ever need to talk, though, I’m here for you; I will be here for you now and always.
Photo by Isaac Quesada on Unsplash
05I am so sorry about what happened to your father. A light like his did not deserve to go out in the way that it did.
Your father was more than just your father. He was a man that served his community well, and he risked his own well-being for the sake of others. I salute him.
06Who would have guessed that we’d have to continue our lives without Miss Green at the helm?
If someone had said this to me yesterday, I would’ve told them off for coming up with such a horrible lie.
Yet, here we are, and all I can do is express my deepest condolences. Her loss has been felt deeply, but together we will get through this.
07There are no words that can express the emotions that are in my heart; your father was the only father-figure I’ve ever had and known in my life.
He would always check on my mother and me. He would do whatever he could to make sure that we were comfortable.
I haven’t come to terms with the news, and I’m sure neither have you. If you ever want a shoulder to lean on, I’m always here to provide it.
Photo by Chris Benson on Unsplash
What to Say to Someone Who Lost a Parent When You Don’t Know Them Very Well
Sometimes, someone you don’t know very well, like a colleague or a neighbor, will lose a parent. If you interact with these acquaintances occasionally, a nice message could help make their day even a little bit better.
Here’s an idea of what to say to someone who lost a parent when you don’t know the deceased person very well:
08I heard about your mother’s passing, and I just wanted to let you know that the best thing you can do in times of great sadness is to look back at the past and celebrate her life.
You can think of all of the good memories you have together, and you can cherish the fact that you had a wonderful mother.
Photo by Gustavo Fring under Pexels
09I’d like to send my deepest condolences for the loss of your father. I am sure that he was a wonderful man who loved you very much.
I want you to keep your head up for him and show him how brave you can be. I’m sure that he had his dreams about how much you would accomplish, and now is the time to focus on making him proud.
10Though I only met your mother once, I could tell that she had a kind heart and a gentle spirit. May her soul rest in peace. May you find comfort in the thought that she is now in a better place.
Photo by Magdalena Smolnicka on Unsplash
11I know that we haven’t really spoken much, but I heard the news about your father. I just wanted to extend my condolences.
I’ve seen him here a few times. I’ve seen the way in which you interacted with him and joked together; it showed me that you had a very good relationship.
You’re in my prayers during this difficult time.
12I just wanted to say sorry for the loss of your mother. I am very sure that she was a special woman who made you the man that you are today.
Please accept my condolences, and I want you to let me know if there is anything I can do.
13It’s a very terrible thing to lose a parent, and I know this from experience. What got me through it was the memory of the times that I shared with my father.
I offer you my thoughts, well-wishes, and prayers in hopes that you learn to cope with this very difficult change.
Photo by Julia on reshot
14I am deeply saddened by the passing of your mother, and I hope that you and your family are able to process this change. I hope you can be each other’s points of strength.
May you get the peace that you need.
What to Say to Someone Who Lost a Parent When it’s Your Partner
When your partner loses a parent, there’s a responsibility placed on you to be his/her source of strength and comfort.
It’s a bit tricky to figure out what to say to someone who lost a parent as it is, but it’s even trickier when that person is your partner. Here are nine things that you can say:
15Even though we have only been together for a few months, your father was someone to whom I really looked up.
He was one of the kindest, smartest, and coolest guys that I had ever met, and I was so happy the day that he called me “son.” I am so lucky to have known him, and I will miss him so much.
Photo by Natasha Ivanchikhina on Unsplash
16I’m here for you in any way that you need me to be. I know you were very close with your dad, and this can’t be easy for you.
No one will ever be able to fill his shoes, but I will try my best to keep you happy and motivated. I can’t do as he did, but I will try.
17Your dad was a great mentor to me and others like me. In the years that I was privileged enough to know him, I learned so much about myself and the world around me.
His impact can never be erased, and his memory is etched in our hearts forever. Thank you for introducing us.
Photo by Christy Hermogenes on Reshot
18My heart is broken at the loss of your dad. In some ways, he was my dad too, and he gave me the green light to marry you.
He was the best father-in-law a guy could ask for. He played a huge role in making you the woman that I love today. We will get through this together.
19I am really going to miss your mom.
I miss her dropping in unannounced and filling our kitchen with wonderful smells. I miss her words of wisdom and her stories from the past. I miss the way you guys would speak for hours and how close of a relationship you had with her.
20Your mom led a remarkable life. She was active in the lives of many, and she changed so many lives.
I am happy that a woman like her was my mother-in-law, and I wouldn’t trade any of our experiences for the world. I am so heartbroken that she is gone, but we’ll get through this together.
Photo by Dario Valenzuela on Unsplash
21Thank you for introducing me to your mother; she was a fine woman.
In the short time that I’d known her, she managed to change my life for the better.
Moving forward will be rough, but as long as we do it together, we should get through it.
22I never knew what it was like to have a mother, but from the moment I met yours, I felt like I was a part of a family for the first time.
She welcomed me with open arms, and she never judged me based on my past actions. She will always have my love and respect.
23I have such great memories of your mom, and I know you do too.
Let’s remember her as she was before she got sick. Let’s remember her smiling and laughing so hard that she started to cry. Let us celebrate her life.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
What to Say to Someone Who Lost a Parent When it’s a Relative
When a family member loses a parent that isn’t your own, like a cousin, an in-law, or an aunt/uncle, it can still hit really close to home.
Here are eight ideas of what to say to someone who lost a parent when the deceased person is your relative:
24No one was better at telling jokes than uncle Bob. Who knew that his show would come to a close so soon?
It doesn’t feel real because he was like a dad to me. If you need anything, I hope you already know that I’m here for you.
Photo by Isaac Quesada on Unsplash
25I loved seeing your dad at family reunions. He was the life of the party, and he always made sure everyone got along. He was the glue that held us together, and he kept us strong.
I want you to know that you are in my thoughts, and I’m here to listen whenever you need it.
26The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about your dad is how much he cared for everyone in this family.
No one was left out, and he was fair when there were any disagreements. He always listened to every concern.
I hope we can continue building on the groundwork that he laid down for us because he was an amazing man.
27The news about uncle Ron’s passing really took me by surprise.
He was a fun-loving, jovial person who brought out the best in everyone. How are we supposed to move on without him?
Photo by Humphrey Muleba on unsplash
28Aunty Jen was a mother to all of us. She helped raise me and my brothers, and she was there for us all of the time.
I know that she would want us to comfort each other, so I’ll swing by the house so that we can sit on the porch like she would do with you.
29This is the worst news of my life. I never expected uncle Paul to go, especially since he was getting better.
I guess, all that we can do is stick together and find peace in each other’s presence.
30I can’t imagine what this is like for you. I know you and your mother-in-law were like best friends.
I know that we don’t share that kind of relationship, but if you want to talk or even watch a movie together, I want you to let me know. I’ll be there.
Photo by Ekaterina Shakharova on unsplash
31Hearing about Sophie’s passing was such a shock to me.
She was always so radiant, so how could she leave us? She’ll fit in perfectly with the angels, and she can meet uncle John up in heaven now too.
32Finding a father-in-law with whom you actually get along is a real blessing.
It was as though you knew each other for your entire lives! He treated you like his own son.
I want you to continue keeping his daughter safe while providing her with all of the love that she expects of you. I want you to keep honoring his memory.
Lastly
Now that you know what to say to someone who lost a parent, it’s time to act on your words and actually be there for that person who has lost a loved one.
However, if they want to be alone, you should respect their wishes and make yourself available if/when needed.
