Expressing Condolences to a Family after the Death of a Child #443

Expressing Condolences to a Family after the Death of a Child #443

Wiener L; Lichtenthal W; Weaver MS

Journal of Palliative Medicine

2022

Bereavement; Child; Death; Family; Humans

Background The origins of the word condolence stem from Latin roots: com ‘together,” and dolere, “to grieve”. Parents grieving the death of their child benefit from condoling words and actions of those around them. Grieving the death of a child differs from other types of bereavement, as children are not meant to precede their parents in death, particularly in modern times. Thus, words of condolence should account for the ground-shattering change experienced within the family’s life. Meaningful, personal, and compassionate letters of condolence can be both a tribute to the child who died and a source of comfort to the parents. Fast Fact #22 discusses condolence letters for the general population.

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