I need to send a sympathy / condolence message to someone whose family member died. I don't want to say 'I'm so sorry for your loss' and call it a day.
WHO LOST WHO: {your_relationship_to_the_person + who_they_lost + relationship}
HOW WELL YOU KNEW THE PERSON WHO DIED: {very_well / a_little / never_met}
ONE SPECIFIC THING YOU REMEMBER about the person who died (if you knew them): {moment_or_trait}
THE GRIEVING PERSON'S SITUATION: {sudden_or_long_illness / first_loss / many_recent_losses / they're_alone_or_have_support}
FORMAT: {text / card / email / DM}
YOUR RELATIONSHIP'S TYPICAL TONE: {warm / formal / brief / lots_of_inside_jokes}
WILL YOU SEE THEM SOON?: {yes / no / unclear}
RULES:
- Do NOT write 'I'm sorry for your loss' as a standalone line. Use it only if surrounded by something specific.
- Don't use 'thoughts and prayers' unless religious context fits both of you.
- If you knew the person who died, share ONE specific memory — not a list.
- Don't say 'I can't imagine what you're going through' — they don't need your inability.
- Don't say 'they're in a better place' unless the family has clearly framed it that way themselves.
- Don't end with 'let me know if you need anything' — useless. Offer something specific instead.
- Short. 4-7 sentences max. Long is not better here.0 copies·0 saves·1 views
219 words·1,301 chars
Sample output
Situation: Close college friend lost his mom (sudden, heart attack). I met his mom twice — she made me pancakes once when I crashed at his place over a break. Friend usually messages a lot but has gone quiet. Sending a text now, will call in a few days.
Text:
Adam — I just heard about your mom. I'm in the middle of dinner and I keep thinking about that morning at your place sophomore year when she made us pancakes and then mocked us, with full love, for sleeping until 11. She was so warm to me. I'm so glad I got to meet her.
I'm going to call you Friday night around 8 — if you don't want to talk, don't pick up, I just want you to see the call.
I'm here. Whenever.
Why this works: opens with a specific moment, not 'sorry for your loss'. Names something real about who she was ('mocked us with full love'). Offers a specific action (Friday 8pm call) instead of vague 'let me know if you need anything'. Closes short.
If you didn't know the person who died:
Adam — I just heard. I never got to meet your mom but I've heard you talk about her enough to know what you're missing right now. I'm going to call you Friday night around 8 — pick up if you can. Either way I'm here.
Parameters
Text generation parameters
FAQ
Send the message within 48 hours of finding out. Late condolences land harder — most people get a flood in the first week and silence after that. Be in the silence. The prompt targets Claude Sonnet and lives in the Writing & Content category on mycopyprompt.
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