Message examples are original editorial text. For general principles about supporting bereaved people—such as listening, acknowledging the death, avoiding minimizing phrases, and offering specific help—we consult established bereavement and health organizations.
Core reference organizations
- Cruse Bereavement Support — what to say when someone is grieving
- NHS — grief after bereavement or loss
- Marie Curie — supporting someone who is grieving
- Tommy’s — supporting someone after miscarriage
- Sands — supporting someone whose baby has died
- Samaritans — supporting friends and family after a suspected suicide
- Blue Cross — Pet Loss Support
- Child Bereavement UK — what to say to a grieving young person
How sources are used
External sources inform principles, not copied message libraries. We write examples independently and adapt guidance to the specific writing decision on each page.
What each source is used for
General bereavement communication, listening, continued contact and practical support.
High-level background on grief and when a writing guide should defer to professional health support.
Pregnancy and baby loss, especially acknowledgement and avoiding minimizing language.
Suicide-bereavement language, nonjudgmental listening, privacy and avoiding blame or speculation.
Clear, age-appropriate communication with children and young people.
Recognition of pet bereavement and the importance of companion-animal relationships.
How the pages are produced
The engine uses a curated data catalog and reusable editorial components so similar pages share quality controls without becoming identical. Relationship-specific language, channel guidance, examples, source notes, and cross-links are selected by page type. Automated structure is a production tool; it is not permission to invent facts, memories, religious beliefs, causes of death, or private family details.
Limits
Bereavement practices vary by family, culture, religion, language and circumstance. A public writing guide cannot know those details, so the recipient’s preferences should override generic etiquette.
Source hierarchy
For general bereavement principles, we prefer established bereavement charities, public health services, specialist pregnancy- and baby-loss organizations, and suicide-prevention organizations with clearly identified guidance. A source is used for the topic it actually covers; a general grief page is not treated as authority for every specialized circumstance.
What a citation means
A citation on this site means that the external organization supports the summarized principle near the citation. It does not mean that the organization wrote, reviewed, or endorsed our example messages. We keep those two layers separate so readers can distinguish source-informed guidance from original editorial wording.
How we handle disagreement and variation
Bereavement customs differ across cultures, religions, families, workplaces, and communities. Where a practice is not universal, we avoid presenting it as a rule. We prefer language such as “when welcomed,” “if the family chooses,” or “when you know this belief fits.”
Source maintenance
Links should be rechecked during substantive editorial updates. If a page moves, we update the citation. If the replacement source no longer supports the principle, the claim should be revised or removed rather than keeping an impressive-looking citation that no longer matches.