Sample email for those returning to work after your loss

rahima

So, I started attending a support group last week.  It is by the MISS foundation.  They have support groups for infant and child deaths.  Ther group had women and men who were very supportive, as I was the one who had the most recent loss of the group.  They referred me to other support groups in the area as well.  The group facilitator offered this sample email to send out prior to my return to work.  This may help educate your co workers prior to your return and hope to avoid some uncomfortable questions. 

For me, I know it will be especially helpful.  I work in an office enviornment with many of the same people for 10 years.  I am the office manager and interact with everyone, more than anyone else in the company.  I also looked very pregnant when I had to take my emergency leave.   I talked it over with my boss also, and she really thought it was a good idea.  Hope this helps!

 

 

Dear colleagues:

 

As many of you know, my husband and I were expecting our first child this past summer.  It saddens me to inform you that our son was stillborn on July 20^th, just a few short months ago.  While our grief is still incredibly new, we know that we will never fully heal from this loss.

 

I am sending this message to all of you because I am planning on returning to work this coming week and I couldn?t bear to retell this story to each of you separately.  Please know that it?s ok for you to offer your thoughts and sympathies.  It?s ok for you to refer to our son by his name.  And, it?s ok for you to check in on me to see how my day is going. 

 

I hope you can also try to understand that I am not the same ?Sari? that you all remember from a few months ago.  I will absolutely do my best in returning to my position at work.  But, please be gentle and patient with me as I find my way back into the daily routine of my job.

 

We have found a wonderful support network, called the MISS Foundation.  If you so choose, we would appreciate any donations to this organization in memory of our son.  You can donate at:  www.missfoundation.org

 

Thank you, in advance, for your support and sensitivity,

Sari

 

acast187

I think its a good idea. Am sorry for your loss and that you even have to write this email. ::hugs::

stillbaking

I'm so sorry for your loss. I think this is an excellent way of informing your coworkers of what's going on with you. I'm just so sorry you have to write it in the first place.

millejj1

I'm sorry for your loss.

a&b=him&me

That is a very nice email.

I am so sorry for your loss.

biddy53178

i wrote an email too just after i returned to work- it really helped me get out how i was feeling- this is that email

 

As a good amount of you guys know, Brent and I found out that I miscarried almost two weeks ago. Needless to say with the amount of heartache and frustration it took to get us to an actual pregnancy that we were devestated by the news. The days that followed were surreal for us, contacting family and friends to let them know of our loss, a D&C two days later, putting things away that we had received as gifts etc. Throughout this entire last two weeks the outpouring of love and support from both our real and work families has been overwhelming. I have known since I began at CCMC three and a half years ago that this was a special place to work, and I want to thank everyone for proving that to me yet again. Thank you for all the emails, phone calls, the edible arrangements basket etc. For those of you I have seen at work since I've been back, thank you so much for letting me talk about it (or not), for letting me cry on your shoulders, for the hugs and the well wishes and for the offers to help me with my patient load. I can honestly say that last tuesday night when my first day back to work loomed over me, I was terrified to go back on Wed. I was afraid that I was going to be a puddle of tears the entire day, that I wasn't going to be able to do my job as well as I wanted because I didn't think that I could handle being around our patient population. That first day was very hard for me but not as hard as I thought because of the staff that was there that day did an amazing job getting me through it- I know that the next few weeks/months may be an emotional roller coaster for me and so this is also a thank you in advance for putting up with me. I am truly blessed to work with such an amazing group of people. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks.

Love, Bridget