英語でのお悔やみメール｜ビジネスでの弔意の伝え方

ビジネスの場で同僚や取引先に不幸があった際、英語でお悔やみを伝える必要が生じることがあります。日本語でも難しいお悔やみの言葉ですが、英語では文化的な違いもあり、適切な表現を選ぶことがより重要になります。

本記事では、英語でのお悔やみメール（Condolence Email / Sympathy Message）の書き方と、場面別のテンプレートを紹介します。

お悔やみメールの基本

いつ送るべきか

ビジネスでお悔やみメールを送る状況は主に以下の場合です。

送るタイミング

• 知らせを受けたらできるだけ早く（24-48時間以内）
• 葬儀の前後どちらでも可
• 遅くなった場合でも送らないより送る方が良い

基本構成

1. 件名（Subject Line）
   - シンプルで直接的に

2. 冒頭（Opening）
   - お悔やみの言葉

3. 本文（Body）
   - 故人への言葉（任意）
   - 相手への気遣い

4. サポートの申し出（Offer of Support）
   - 具体的な支援の提案

5. 結び（Closing）
   - 思いやりのある締めくくり

基本的なお悔やみの表現

冒頭で使う定番フレーズ

シンプルなお悔やみ:

• I am so sorry for your loss.
• Please accept my deepest condolences.
• My heart goes out to you during this difficult time.
• I was deeply saddened to hear about [name]‘s passing.

より丁寧な表現:

• Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your [father/mother/etc.].
• I want to express my heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
• Words cannot express how sorry I am for your loss.

会社を代表して:

• On behalf of [Company Name], please accept our deepest condolences.
• The entire team at [Company] extends our heartfelt sympathy.

故人について述べる表現

故人と面識がある場合は、その人について触れることで、より心のこもったメッセージになります。

故人の人柄を称える:

• [Name] was a wonderful person who touched many lives.
• I have fond memories of working with [name].
• [Name]‘s kindness and dedication will always be remembered.
• [Name] made a lasting impact on everyone who knew [him/her].

ビジネス上の関係に触れる:

• [Name] was an invaluable member of our team.
• Working with [name] was always a pleasure.
• [Name]‘s contributions to our company will not be forgotten.

相手を気遣う表現

気持ちに寄り添う:

• I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you.
• Please know that you are in my thoughts.
• My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
• I hope you find comfort in the love of those around you.

時間を取ることを勧める:

• Please take all the time you need.
• Don’t hesitate to take time for yourself and your family.
• Your well-being is what matters most right now.

サポートを申し出る表現

具体的なサポートを提案すると、より実用的なメッセージになります。

業務面でのサポート

Please don't worry about work during this time.
We will cover your responsibilities while you're away.

If there's anything I can do to help with your
workload, please let me know.

Take as much time as you need. Your projects
will be in good hands.

一般的なサポートの申し出

• If there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask.
• Please let me know if you need anything at all.
• I’m here for you if you need to talk.
• Don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s any way I can help.

具体的な提案

I would be happy to:
• Handle the [project name] while you're away
• Reschedule your meetings for the next two weeks
• Help with any arrangements you may need

Just let me know how I can best support you.

結びの表現

一般的な結び

• With deepest sympathy,
• With heartfelt condolences,
• Thinking of you,
• With warm regards,
• Wishing you peace and comfort,

より個人的な結び

• Please know that I am here for you.
• You and your family are in my thoughts.
• Sending you strength during this difficult time.

場面別テンプレート

同僚への個人的なお悔やみメール

Subject: Thinking of You

Dear [Name],

I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing
of your [mother/father/etc.]. Please accept my
heartfelt condolences.

I can only imagine how difficult this time must
be for you and your family. Please know that you
are in my thoughts during this challenging period.

Please don't worry about work. We will make sure
everything is covered while you take the time you
need to be with your family. If there is anything
I can do to help, whether work-related or otherwise,
please don't hesitate to reach out.

Take care of yourself.

With deepest sympathy,
[Your Name]

チーム・部署からのお悔やみメール

Subject: Our Thoughts Are With You

Dear [Name],

On behalf of the entire [Department/Team] team,
we want to express our sincere condolences on
the loss of your [relationship].

We understand this is an incredibly difficult time,
and we want you to know that we are here for you.
Please take all the time you need to be with your
family. Your work responsibilities will be fully
covered during your absence.

If there's anything we can do to support you,
please don't hesitate to let us know.

Our thoughts are with you and your family.

Warm regards,
[Team/Department Name]

取引先へのお悔やみメール

Subject: Condolences from [Your Company]

Dear Mr./Ms. [Name],

On behalf of [Your Company], I would like to
express our deepest condolences on the passing
of [Mr./Ms. Deceased's Name].

[If applicable: We had the privilege of working
with [name] for many years, and [his/her]
professionalism and dedication were truly
remarkable. [He/She] will be greatly missed.]

Please know that our thoughts are with you and
everyone at [Their Company] during this difficult
time. If there is anything we can do to support
you, please do not hesitate to reach out.

With sincere sympathy,

[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company]

同僚の家族への弔意（同僚が亡くなった場合）

Subject: In Memory of [Name]

Dear [Family Member's Name],

I hope this message finds you surrounded by
love and support during this incredibly
difficult time.

I had the privilege of working alongside [Name]
for [X years], and I want you to know what a
remarkable person [he/she] was. [His/Her]
kindness, dedication, and positive spirit made
a lasting impression on everyone at our company.
[He/She] often spoke fondly of [his/her] family,
and it was clear how much you all meant to
[him/her].

Please accept my deepest condolences. [Name]
will be deeply missed, but [his/her] memory
will live on in the hearts of all who knew
[him/her].

If there is anything I or our company can do
to assist you during this time, please don't
hesitate to reach out.

With heartfelt sympathy,
[Your Name]

遅れてお悔やみを伝える場合

Subject: Belated Condolences

Dear [Name],

I recently learned of the passing of your
[relationship], and I wanted to reach out to
express my condolences, even though some time
has passed.

Please know that you and your family have been
in my thoughts. Grief has no timeline, and I
hope you are finding moments of peace as you
navigate this difficult period.

If there is ever anything I can do to support
you, please don't hesitate to let me know.
I am here for you.

With sincere sympathy,
[Your Name]

避けるべき表現

お悔やみメールでは、以下の表現や行動を避けることが重要です。

避けるべきフレーズ

避けるべき行動

• 詳細な死因を尋ねる
• 長すぎるメールを書く
• 自分の喪失体験を長々と語る
• 仕事の話を持ち出す（必要な場合を除く）
• 返信を求める

文化的な配慮

宗教・文化による違い

お悔やみの表現は文化や宗教によって異なります。

安全な表現:

• My thoughts are with you.
• I am so sorry for your loss.
• [Name] will be remembered fondly.

国際的なビジネスでの注意点

• 相手の文化的背景を考慮する
• 不確かな場合は、宗教的な表現を避ける
• シンプルで誠実な言葉を選ぶ

返信への対応

お悔やみメールに返信があった場合の対応です。

返信例

Dear [Name],

Thank you for your kind words. It means a lot
to me during this difficult time.

I appreciate your understanding and support.
I will reach out when I'm ready to return.

Thank you again.
[Name]

返信がなくても

返信がない場合も気にする必要はありません。相手は悲しみの中にあり、返信する余裕がないことがほとんどです。

まとめ

英語でのお悔やみメールのポイントをまとめます。

チェックリスト

□ できるだけ早く送る（24-48時間以内）
□ 件名はシンプルに
□ 心からのお悔やみの言葉を述べる
□ 故人について触れる（面識がある場合）
□ 相手の気持ちに寄り添う
□ 具体的なサポートを申し出る
□ 短く、誠実に
□ 宗教的表現は慎重に使う
□ 返信を求めない

大切なポイント

1. 誠実さ: 完璧な言葉より、心からの言葉
2. シンプルさ: 長すぎず、要点を押さえる
3. 配慮: 相手の気持ちと文化を尊重
4. サポート: 具体的な支援の提案

お悔やみのメールは、形式よりも気持ちが大切です。相手を思いやる誠実な言葉を選び、適切なタイミングで送ることで、困難な時期にある方への支えとなることができます。