Sympathy Letter for Illness (Examples & Wording Ideas)

Comforting a family member or loved one can be such a difficult thing to do. Finding the right words to express the depth of your feelings for them in such a trying time is usually quite challenging. It’s even much worse when you have to convey your feelings to them in written form.

A person writes a sympathy letter for illness to support and comfort individuals dealing with an ailment. Family members, friends, and colleagues use letters of sympathy for illness to send their love to a sick person. Everyone dealing with sickness – whether it’s a minor ailment or a terminal disease – needs support. The wishes and comforting words from family and friends are always a great source of strength to pull through.

Sometimes you might not be able to visit a loved one that is battling an illness. The only way to send your goodwill to them might be via a sympathy card. It’s vital to know how to write a sympathy letter for loved ones dealing with illnesses. Illnesses can range from mild to terminal, and the sympathy letter you write should be appropriate for the condition. When writing a sympathy letter, you should carefully select your words. You want to use language that will make the recipient feel valued and loved.

Choosing the right words when writing a sympathy card cannot be overemphasized. You don’t want to sound in genuine or use language that would offend the recipient. What you can write in the letter depends on the information you have about the serious illness, your current relationship with the recipient, and your knowledge about the person’s state of mind at the moment.

Empathetic words for a sick loved one

When writing a sympathy letter for a family member or friend, you should use endearing words. Your language should not be distant or formal. Depending on the situation, you can throw in a few quotes that could make them smile. The recipient should feel as close to you as possible when they read the letter.

Here are a few suggestions:

“I know that things are pretty rough for you right now. I’m always here for you if you need me.”

“I think about you a lot. I miss you. I wish I could be there with you right now. I want you to know that I love you. I can’t wait for you to get better soon.”

“I just spent the last couple of minutes looking at several photos we took together. I can’t wait for you to get better so we can make more memories together.”

“I know how strong you are. I’m sure that you will beat this soon. I love you.”

“Every time you feel the warmth of the sun, I want you to think I’m giving you a warm hug. Get well soon.”

Encouraging words for a seriously ill person

Many times, people dealing with a serious illness just need words of encouragement. A simple, heartfelt encouragement can go a long way and provide them with the needed boost to keep fighting. When writing encouraging words, don’t try to use clichés or sound too serious. Also, except you know the severity of the condition, don’t make any assumptions.

See some suggestions below:

“Hey, how are you feeling? I just wanted to check up on you. I hope you feel better soon.”

“I’m here for you if you need anything. My thoughts and prayers are with you.”

“I hope you think of all the amazing memories we have together and that it puts a smile on your face. I wish you a speedy recovery.”

Comforting words for the terminally ill

For terminal illnesses, your language must convey support and encouragement. Avoid saying things like “I know what you are going through” because it usually offends most people. What you want is for the recipient to know that your thoughts are with them.

Here are a few ideas:

“Your strength and resolve have always been an inspiration to me. You don’t give up. I know that is not going to change. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. I love you.”

“I may not be able to understand what you are going through, but I’m here for you whenever you need me. Stay strong. I’m thinking of you.”

“Sending you all the love the world has to offer. I hope that seeing this letter brightens your day the way you have brightened my life.”

“I want you to know that I’ll never get tired of telling you how much I love and admire you. Your bravery inspires me. Sending you hugs and kisses.”

A gift usually accompanies a sympathy letter for illness. Nothing says “I love you” more than a thoughtful gift. It’s not always about the price. What makes a gift valuable is the amount of thought put into it. A simple and thoughtful gift could make a big difference.

Here are a few gift ideas:

• Make a playlist of the person’s favorite songs: You can also include any songs that are attached to a memory you both share.

• Flowers: Giving flowers as a gift never gets old. You could send a flower along with your sympathy card. Anytime the person sees it, they’ll remember you and your words of encouragement.

• Make a highlight reel: You could put together a photo or video compilation of your moments with the person.

• Get other family members, friends, or colleagues to do a video compilation: You can request that other friends and well-wishers send in their wishes via a pre-recorded video. Compile the videos and put them into a DVD. Send the DVD along with your sympathy letter.

• Accessories: A nice necklace or a wristband with a lovely quote would also make a great gift.

Share the Burden of Illness

Most people are very vulnerable when they are sick. A well-written sympathy letter from someone they care about can have a positive impact on their mental health. Empathy is the number one quality you must possess in comforting people dealing with sickness. Your aim should not be to sound clever. It’s about how they feel and not your feelings. Before writing anything in your letter, put yourself in the recipient’s shoes. Ask yourself,  “what kind of feeling will this statement evoke in the recipient?” Avoid any statement that comes across as insensitive. It’s better to remove any sentences that you feel will make the recipient uncomfortable.

Expressing the depth of your feelings by writing a sympathy letter or an email is never easy. When writing to someone who is seriously ill, take time to weigh your words carefully, empathize with the person and then write. Don’t bother so much about the language at first. Just write how you are feeling. After you have written something down, you can then begin to edit it, removing any statements you consider inappropriate. It’s always a good idea to run your sympathy letter by someone else. They might be able to notice things that you didn’t.

Letter of Sympathy Samples

Following are sympathy letter samples for different scenarios:

Related: Sympathy Words for the Loss of a Pet

Use the correct format to send those you care about all your best wishes. You could download any of our free templates here if you need help writing a sympathy letter for anyone – a friend, family member, or colleague.

Your words might just be what your loved ones need to motivate them to keep fighting. Sympathy letters for illnesses are a great way to remind someone how much you love and care about them. The great thing about sympathy letters is that the recipient can always go back and read them during their low points. Don’t hesitate to send your love and support to any of your family members or loved ones that need it during a trying time.