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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