Condolences in Spanish

Expressing condolences and showing sympathy can be an overwhelming and daunting task. The weight of words and the right use of language is particularly important and touchy when the topic is death.

Therefore, special care and attention should be paid as to the choice of words, which will ultimately help the speaker get their meaning across and convey a heartfelt message.

Important: Expressions of condolences are usually followed by some reflection on the deceased. They may also be combined with other condolence expressions.

• See also: I’m sorry in Spanish

1. Lo siento mucho / I’m very sorry

This is probably the most common phrase to express condolences in Spanish. While the shorter version lo siento may be used, it sounds drier and more straightforward.

Lo siento mucho. Compartimos tu dolor.
I’m very sorry. We share in your sorrow.

2. Lo lamento tanto / I’m so sorry

Lo lamento tanto/mucho is a near-synonym of lo siento mucho. The shorter version lo lamento sounds drier.

Lo lamento tanto. Fue una persona maravillosa.
I’m so sorry. She was a wonderful person.

3. Mi más sentido pésame / My heartfelt condolences

Typically used by older people, this set phrase sounds formal. The word mi, meaning “my”, may be replaced with nuestro meaning “our” for the plural form.

Mi más sentido pésame. No tengo palabras en este momento de dolor.
My heartfelt condolences. Words fail me in this moment of grief.

4. Te acompaño en el sentimiento / My heartfelt condolences are with you

A formal expression of sympathy. To address the more formal usted pronoun (used to address elderly people or when social distance is required), the phrase is lo/la acompaño en el sentimiento, for the masculine and feminine subject respectively.

Te acompaño en el sentimiento. La vamos a echar mucho de menos.
I’m with you. She will be missed.

Expressions with the same meaning are: te acompaño en tu dolor, te acompaño en este momento de dolor.

5. Lamento (mucho) tu pérdida / I’m (deeply) sorry for your loss

This phrase is typically said over the loss of a close relative, and is appropriate in both formal and more informal settings, sounding heartfelt and deep. The word mucho (very) may be added for extra emphasis.

Lamento mucho tu pérdida. Tu padre era un gran hombre.
I’m deeply sorry for your loss. Your father was a great man.

Related expressions include: Lamento la muerte de tu madre (I’m sorry for your mother’s death).

6. ¡Cuánto lo siento/lo lamento! / I’m so sorry!

Strong and forceful, this expression should be reserved to express heartfelt condolences over the death of someone close. It may be introduced by the words no sabes (cuánto lo siento).

¡Cuánto lo siento! Me acabo de enterar.
I’m so sorry! I just heard the news.

7. Que en paz descanse / May he/she rest in peace

Usually preceded by lo siento/lo lamento mucho, this fairly formal expression is typically used by older people.

Lo lamento mucho. Que en paz descanse.
I’m so sorry. May he rest in peace.

8. Mis pensamientos están contigo / My thoughts are with you

This expression is said to reassure someone that the speaker is spiritually with the family of the deceased during these hard times.

Lo siento mucho. Mis pensamientos están contigo en este momento de dolor.
I’m very sorry. My thoughts are with you in this moment of grief.

9. No tengo palabras / Words are not enough

Used to offer heartfelt condolences, this strong expression conveys grief and sorrow, as well as a sense of overwhelmingness.

No tengo palabras en un momento como este.
Words are not enough at a time like this.

10. Acabo de enterarme; no lo puedo creer / I just heard; I can’t believe it

Used to express surprise and bewilderment, this expression is used in cases of a sudden, unexpected, and untimely death.

Acabo de enterarme; no lo puedo creer. ¿Cómo ocurrió?
I just heard about this sad news; I can’t believe it. How did it happen?

• Explore more: Greetings in Spanish

Comforting words to say when someone dies

Condolences are typically followed up by comforting phrases and expressions to offer support to someone in grief over the loss of a loved one:

Ella siempre estará en nuestro corazón.
She will always be in our hearts.

Él era una persona maravillosa. Lo vamos a extrañar mucho.
He was a wonderful person. He will be missed.

Su memoria vivirá por siempre.
His/her memory will live on forever.

La vamos a extrañar.
She will be missed.

Dios te acompañe en este momento de dolor.
God be with you through these difficult times.

Me quedaré contigo por si necesitas algo.
I’ll stay with you in case there is anything you might need.

Sympathy messages

The following lines are short yet heartfelt common condolence card messages in Spanish:

Que tengas paz y consuelo.
May you have peace and comfort.

Estamos con ustedes en este momento de dolor.
We mourn with you in this time of sorrow.

Su memoria seguirá viva en nuestros corazones.
His/her memory will continue to live on in our hearts.

Lamento mucho la muerte de tu padre. Que encuentres consuelo en este difícil momento.
I am very sorry for your father’s passing. May you find comfort in this difficult time.

How to respond to condolence messages

To thank and respond to condolence messages, either orally or in writing, the following formulas may be used:

Gracias por estar hoy aquí y por tus sentidas palabras.
Thank you for being here today and for your heartfelt words.

Él también te quería mucho.
He loved you dearly.

Gracias por acompañarnos en este triste momento.
Thank you for being with us in this sad time.

• See also: "Thank you" in Spanish

Related vocabulary

Among the most common words related to death and funerals are:

morir die	fallecer pass away	muerte death
fallecimiento passing	funeral funeral	entierro burial
velorio wake	tumba grave	lápida tombstone
cementerio cemetery	iglesia church	cajón coffin
duelo, luto mourning	pérdida loss, bereavement	ceremonia ceremony

Related articles:

• "Thank you" in Spanish
• "You’re welcome" in Spanish
• "Have a good day" in Spanish
• "How are you" in Spanish
• How to say "hi" in Spanish
• "Good night" in Spanish

References

• Oxford Spanish Dictionary, 3rd ed. (Oxford University Press, 2003), CD ROM.
• Wordreference.com, “memorial,” accessed September 3, 2024, https://www.wordreference.com/