How do you respond when you receive an email from a co-worker about a death in the family?

You can simply tell him that you are sorry for his loss. And that you will remember his family in your prayers. And that if there is anything he needs, you've got it. This seems too somber but in reality it is really comforting to the recipient.

Death In Family Email

From his tone, I'd say that he has accepted his aunt's death. Since she has been ill for some time, the family has been going through the process of grief already, so it wouldn't take so long to come to acceptance. That being said, while he wasn't terribly grief-stricken when he wrote the email, that doesn't mean he won't be later on in the week. Telling him you are sorry for his loss isn't too somber or inappropriate.

I ditto the idea of sending flowers from the office.

You know, I really hate the whole "I'm sorry for your loss" thing, it's like the ONLY thing to say. A very good friend of ours just recently lost his daughter to Leukemia and I in all honesty told him "I don't know what to say to you" and he said "you don't need to say anything, it means everything to us that you're here" and just gave me a hug. Of course you probably don't have that close friendship with your boss, but by the sound of his e-mail it does sound like he's kind of close to you guys. And usually when somebody has been ill for sometime, the family pretty much expects it and sometimes almost relieved that their loved one is no longer suffering.

If you want to keep it simple and casual as he did, you can say something like, "Sounds like "Lucy" will be greatly missed by her favorite nephew. My condolences to you and your family. Rest assured you have nothing to worry about in your absence, see you on your return."

A small flower arrangement and card from the office would also be nice. The card doesn't have to be somber either, you can probably find a nice card about Aunts.

Showing your sympathy besides your feel of being "sorry" would be appropriate.

if I were you I would answer as follow:

I am so sorry for this happening. Losing somebody who is lovely is always hard. I hope my attendance at the funeral could calm your bad feelings [I do not know of customs if you can attend at the matrimony without an invitation? but it is a good idea in my country to showing your sympathy to a friend or a family member] and I would be much appreciated if can do something for you in this case.

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"I'm sorry for your loss. I don't know what words can make you feel better but I am praying for your Aunt Lucy that she is happy and at peace where she is, and that you and your family are doing the best that you can do under these circumstances.

Kindest regards,,,,

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Well, that's about what I'd say...something like, "I'm sorry to hear about your aunt. I'll be thinking about you on Friday." I think it would be rude to not respond to him at all. It's so hard to know what to say. Usually just saying I'm sorry is enough.

Just say how sorry you are for his/her loss and try and be as sympathetic as possible and try and ask little question's about his aunt.

I'd suggest chipping in with your co-workers to buy some flowers and everyone sign the card, or get a sympathy card and leave it on his desk for when he returns.

Sorry for your loss!