Condolence Messages for a Coworker: What to Write in a Sympathy Card

A condolence message for a coworker does not need to be long or perfect. A few kind words in a sympathy card tell a colleague that the people they work with care about them and that their work can wait.

Below are sympathy messages for a colleague sorted by the loss and by who is sending the card, plus wording for an email, what to avoid and how to sign a group card.

Article contents

• How to Write a Sympathy Card for a Coworker
• Short Condolence Messages for a Coworker
• Personal Sympathy Messages for a Colleague
• Sympathy Messages for a Coworker by Loss
• Condolence Messages From a Manager to an Employee
• Condolence Messages for Your Boss
• Sympathy Messages From the Whole Team
• Condolence Messages for a Client or Customer
• Messages When a Coworker Has Died
• What to Say to a Coworker in Person or by Email
• Welcome Back Messages After a Loss
• Ways to Help a Grieving Coworker Beyond the Card
• What Not to Write in a Coworker Sympathy Card
• How to Sign a Group Sympathy Card at Work
• Frequently Asked Questions

How to Write a Sympathy Card for a Coworker

1. Start by saying you are sorry. Name the loss if you know it, such as "your mom."
2. Keep it to two or three sentences. A short note from a coworker is normal and welcome.
3. Take work off their mind. Let them know their tasks are covered and they can take the time they need.
4. Offer one specific kind of help. Coffee when they return or covering a shift are good examples.
5. Sign with a simple closing. "With sympathy" or "Thinking of you" and your first name is enough.

Example: "Jen, I'm so sorry about your dad. Please don't give work a second thought. We have it covered. Thinking of you, Mark"

Short Condolence Messages for a Coworker

• So sorry to hear the news. Thinking of you.
• Your coworkers are thinking of you.
• Sending sympathy from all of us at the office.
• Keeping you and your family in our thoughts.
• I'm sorry for your loss. Take all the time you need.
• I'm so sorry. We are here for you.
• Thinking of you and your family at this sad time.

Personal Sympathy Messages for a Colleague

For a coworker you sit near, talk to every day or have worked with for years.

• I was so sorry to hear about your loss. I'm thinking of you and I'm here if you need anything.
• Your inbox can wait. I'll keep an eye on things until you are back.
• I'm sorry for your loss. If you want to grab coffee or take a walk when you're back, I'm around.
• I'm so sorry. You don't need to reply to this. I just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you.
• If you need someone to sit with at lunch or someone to talk to, I'm here.

Sympathy Messages for a Coworker by Loss

Naming the loss makes a card feel personal. Use the list that fits, and add a detail you know if you have one.

Messages for a Coworker Who Lost Their Mother

• I was so sorry to hear about your mom. I'm thinking of you and your family.
• I know how close you were to your mother. I'm so sorry for your loss.
• I remember you talking about your mom's garden. She sounded like a wonderful person.
• Your mom raised a kind and thoughtful person, and we see that in you every day.
• I'm sorry for the loss of your mother. I hope your memories of her bring you some comfort.

Messages for a Coworker Who Lost Their Father

• I was so sorry to hear about your dad. Please don't worry about anything here.
• I remember you talking about your dad and how much he loved fishing. I'm so sorry.
• Your dad sounded like a good man. I'm keeping you in my thoughts.
• So sorry about your father. Take the time you need. We have things covered.
• I'm so sorry about your dad. If you want to share a story about him when you're back, I'd love to hear it.

Messages for a Coworker Who Lost a Spouse or Partner

• I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. You are in my thoughts every day.
• I'm so sorry about your wife. Please lean on us for anything at work, big or small.
• I can only imagine how hard these days are without your wife. We are here for you.
• I'm thinking of you and your family. If a meal or an errand would help, please let me know.

Messages for a Coworker Who Lost a Child

Keep these very simple. Use the child's name if you know it, and do not try to explain the loss.

• I am so deeply sorry about your son. Our whole team is thinking of you.
• I'm so sorry about your daughter. Please take all the time you need.
• I am thinking of you and your family every day. You don't need to reply.
• With deep sympathy and love from all of us at work.

Messages for a Coworker Who Lost a Pet

• I'm so sorry about Max. I know how much you loved him.
• Pets are part of the family, and I'm so sorry for your loss.
• I'm so sorry about your dog. He was lucky to have you.
• I'm sorry about your pet. I always loved hearing your stories about her.

Condolence Messages From a Manager to an Employee

A note from a manager should be warm and clear that the employee can focus on family, with no talk of deadlines.

• I'm so sorry for your loss. Please take the time you need, and don't worry about anything here.
• On behalf of the whole team, please accept our sympathy. We will cover your work until you're ready.
• I was saddened to hear about your father. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.
• I'm sorry for your loss. When you're back, we can talk about easing into things at your own pace.
• Please focus on your family right now. Everything here can wait.

Condolence Messages From a Company to an Employee

For a card sent from the business and signed by the owner or HR.

• On behalf of everyone at the company, please accept our deepest sympathy.
• All of us were saddened to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
• Our company family sends its sincere condolences to you and your loved ones.
• We are thinking of you and your family, and your colleagues are here to support you.

Condolence Messages for Your Boss

For a card to a manager or supervisor who has lost someone.

• I'm so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family.
• Please accept my sympathy. The team has things covered, so take the time you need.
• I'm sorry for your loss. You take such good care of all of us, and we are here for you now.
• With deepest sympathy. Please don't give the office a second thought.

Sympathy Messages From the Whole Team

For a group card that everyone in the office signs. One person can write a message at the top, and everyone else adds a short line and their name.

• From all of us on the team, we are so sorry for your loss.
• Your work family is sending you love.
• Everyone in accounting sends their sympathy and support.
• With sincere sympathy from your friends at the office.
• We are so sorry. Tell us if a meal or an errand would help.
• The whole team is thinking of you and your family.

Condolence Messages for a Client or Customer

Keep these brief and respectful, and leave out any mention of business.

• Please accept our sincere sympathy on the loss of your wife.
• All of us here were saddened to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
• With deepest sympathy from the team. We are so sorry for your loss.
• We have enjoyed working with your father for many years. He will be missed.
• We are so sorry to hear about your mother. Please accept our condolences.

Messages When a Coworker Has Died

For a card to the family of a colleague who has passed away.

• Your husband was a wonderful coworker and a good friend to many of us. We are so sorry.
• We will miss her kindness, her ideas and her laugh. Our deepest sympathy to your family.
• It was a privilege to work with your mother. She was respected by everyone here.
• We were lucky to work with him. Please know how much he was valued here.
• She talked about her family often and with so much pride. We are thinking of you all.

What to Say to a Coworker in Person or by Email

When you first see a grieving coworker, a short sentence is enough. "I'm so sorry about your mom" or "I heard about your loss, and I'm sorry" is kind and simple. Then let them lead the conversation.

An email is fine for a first message, especially if you work remotely. Use a plain subject line such as "Thinking of you" and say they do not need to reply.

Condolence Email Messages for a Coworker

• I just heard about your loss and wanted to say how sorry I am. No need to reply. Thinking of you.
• I'm so sorry about your father. Please take the time you need. I'll handle the Friday report.
• I was so sorry to hear the news. If there is anything I can take off your plate, just let me know.
• Sending my sympathy to you and your family. Please don't worry about anything here.

Welcome Back Messages After a Loss

For a note on their desk or a message on their first day back.

• Welcome back. We've missed you, and we're here if you need anything.
• It's good to see you. There's no need to jump right back in. Take it one day at a time.
• We're thinking of you. Let us know if you need a quiet day or some help.
• Welcome back. If you want to talk or just grab lunch, I'm around.

Ways to Help a Grieving Coworker Beyond the Card

• Set up a meal train. One person can organize a sign-up so meals arrive over a few weeks.
• Cover shifts or tasks. Agree as a team who will handle calls, meetings or shifts while they are out.
• Send flowers or make a donation. If the family names a charity, a group donation in their loved one's name is a kind choice. Our sympathy flower card messages help with the small card.
• Check in after a few weeks. A short note or a coffee a month later shows you still remember.

What Not to Write in a Coworker Sympathy Card

• Questions about how the person died.
• Anything about deadlines, projects or when they will be back.
• "I know how you feel," even if you have had a similar loss.
• "Everything happens for a reason" or "They are in a better place."
• Religious messages, unless you know they will be welcome.

If you know your coworker shares your faith, our Christian condolence messages have gentle wording you can use.

How to Sign a Group Sympathy Card at Work

"With sympathy," "Thinking of you," "With care" and "With deepest sympathy" all suit a work card. On a group card, write a short line and your first name, or your first and last name in a large office. Keep your note small so there is room for everyone.

If one person writes the main message, it can end with "From all of us on the marketing team" so others only need to add their names. If the team sent flowers or made a donation, add a line at the bottom such as "A donation has been made in your mother's memory." For more closings, see how to sign a card.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you write in a sympathy card for a coworker?

Say you are sorry for their loss, tell them not to worry about work and offer your support. "So sorry for your loss. Take all the time you need" is a good start. Add a detail about the person who died if you know one.

Should I sign a group sympathy card for someone I don't know well?

Yes. A short line such as "Thinking of you" and your name is kind and appropriate.

Is it OK to send a condolence email to a coworker?

A short email is fine for a first message, especially if you work remotely. Keep it brief and tell them there is no need to reply. A card afterward is a kind follow-up.

What do you say to a coworker who lost a parent?

A simple "I'm so sorry about your mom" or "I was sorry to hear about your dad" is enough. Let them lead the conversation and offer one practical kind of help, such as covering a meeting. Do not ask about the cause of death.

For more wording, see our condolence messages for a sympathy card, short sympathy messages and sympathy flower card messages. We also have guides for the loss of a mother, the loss of a father, the loss of a husband or wife and the loss of a pet.

Our Bible Verse Sympathy Cards suit a coworker who shares your faith, and you can see all of our sympathy cards for designs that work for any colleague. Each set has 12 cards with envelopes and is printed on 100% recycled paper.