Thursday, January 28, 2021

Condolence Messages in WA or Email groups

                               Condolence Messages in WA or Email groups

 We often receive information about somebody’s demise in WhatsApp group or Email group through one of the members. What do we do? We shoot off condolence messages in the group. The messages are intended to console close family members who are bereaved. We say nice things about the departed soul, recalling moments that were pleasant or something that we are grateful for and cherish. Some even go to the extent of eulogising the dead person. Stories recall how good he was and what a great relationship we had etc.  If the initial info contains contact details to convey condolence then some friends who are close, might ring up, call upon the family etc. Rest of us are contended by posting a message, showing they have noted the news.

 However, we do not notice that all such condolence messages just float in the air and are read by your colleagues who need no consolation. The messages won’t reach the family or close children of the dead person unless somebody in the group takes special efforts to collect and forward them to people concerned. I have not seen this happening, al least not to my knowledge. How nice it will be if the person who initially informs the group about the death, takes the responsibility to forward messages? May be, this is too much to expect?

 Are there other means of letting the bereaved know and benefit from our condolence?

 ·       Post a message by mail.

·       Call up a relative who may attend the funeral or memorial meeting.

·       Insert an advertisement in a newspaper.

·       Write an obituary note for a newspaper, newsletter or to a club where he was a member.

·       If you have a lot of shared memories by was of photos, prepare a video file and share.

·       Write a blog post.

·       Organise condolence meet in your group / association.

 

All said and done, don’t just let your message float in the air, serving none.


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