Although this saying works well for people who have the personality to speak up for what they need, some people tend to feel like they're bothering you if they ask for anything.
Gift Ideas to Pair with Your Message
- Thinking of You Card ($5.00+)
- I Know You're Totally Fine Funny Sympathy Card ($6.98)
- Thinking of You Sterling Silver Necklace ($24.80)
- Pocket Hug Token ($15.99)
- Sometimes You Forget You're Awesome Keychain ($8.99)
- Small Essential Oil Candle Peony ($4.98)
Jump ahead to these sections:
- How to Say ‘Let Me Know If You Need Anything’ After a Death
- How to Say ‘Let Me Know If You Need Anything’ After Another Tragedy or Hard Time
- How to Say, ‘Let Me Know If You Need Anything,’ in a Professional Setting
Worse, they might feel sensitive if they hear a negative response—which can only make the grieving more intense. So, instead of saying some words, which to some are ultimately empty and fruitless, take the initiative to offer specific help. If they're friends or family, it won't be too difficult to figure out what that is.
Take a look at the examples that we've found for you and see what fits. You can use these ideas as templates and then alter the concept as needed to suit your needs or capabilities.
Post-planning tip: If you are the executor for a deceased loved one, you will be receiving many sympathy and support messages; handling them all plus the details of the loved one's unfinished business can be overwhelming. We have a post-loss checklist that will help you ensure that your loved one's family, estate, and other affairs are taken care of.
How to Say ‘Let Me Know If You Need Anything’ After a Death
Sending your thoughts and prayers to people and families in great times of need may be just what they need to hear.
But people who are suffering through immense grief, probably need some action behind the words so that they don't feel alone or helpless.
1. “Would you like me to house-sit while you’re away at the funeral?”
Offering to help with specific tasks can help those who are grieving feel less sensitive about burdening others. So, if you can house-sit their pets while they are out of town, this will be a huge stress relief.
2. “I’m just about to walk into the grocery store, what can I pick up for you?”
If you tell your friend that you're already going to do it, they won't worry about putting you out.
3. “My partner is on her way to your house with our lawnmower right now, do you need anything else done?”
If you're able to do this, you'll give your friend or family member at least another two weeks to worry less about the grass and more about healing.
4. “I’ll be back to pick these up in a week.”
When you deliver your delicious homemade meal, let them know you’ll be back for the pan. Then you’ve got the option to cook another meal and also return to check on them.
5. “I’m outside your house, and we’re going for a drive.”
You don’t have to stop anywhere, so looking your best isn’t necessary. And, you don’t even have to talk that much, just plan to be the chauffeur on a lazy drive.
6. “You can call me whenever you feel lonely.”
Loving and then losing someone means that we're left with impressions and memories of them all over the place.
They still exist in the empty chair, table seat, or side of the bed. Because of this, give your friend an option to hear a human voice as often as necessary.
7. “Let’s go for a walk.”
Here’s an opportunity for some fresh air and exercise as well as a way for your friend who is grieving to be able to let the emotions out. This may be the key to finding out how to help—even if you just listen.
How to Say ‘Let Me Know If You Need Anything’ After Another Tragedy or Hard Time
Job loss, a crumbling marriage, the death of a pet, or any other kind of blow in one’s life often requires good friends and something to take their mind off the chaos even if for a little while. So, by offering ways to help, you’re making your words solid.
8. “Let’s go ice-fishing.”
If you have a fishing house and a six-pack, then you can provide your friend with a safe haven for an afternoon and nothing serious to talk about.
9. “Let’s go get a drink (or have coffee). You can vent all you need.”
Sometimes friends are tight-lipped about personal problems, so here’s an excellent way to help them release their anxieties. This will give you avenues to offer help if you were otherwise unaware of how to do so.
10. “I’m bringing over some music (or a movie) that helped me when I was going through the same problems.”
Yes, a lot of things are now digital, but vinyl is making a comeback. So, if you have some records that you don’t mind lending out, this is the perfect excuse to bring some music and some listening skills.
11. “I know things are tight, and I don’t want to make a big deal about this, so just pay me back whenever or if you can.”
An unwritten rule about lending money to friends is that you shouldn’t expect to get it back, especially if it’s your idea. Another is that all good deeds make their way back to you somehow.
12. “You can crash at my place if you need to.”
If your friend is having a tough time in their relationship, just being able to get away for an evening or weekend can help them out tremendously by giving it some breathing room.
13. “I know you loved your dog more than any human on this planet could love an animal, and I just want to let you know how much I admired that. So, I got this for you.”
If your friend has a front garden, then a pet memorial stone is the perfect way to send love to them after they lost a pet. This will open opportunities for happy remembrances and communication without pushing the agenda.
14. “We’re going to fight this together, and I’m here every step of the way.”
Finding out that your spouse has a disease or less than favorable medical hurdle to manage can be a blow to you both, so this is the one place where direct words and actions need to go hand in hand.
How to Say, ‘Let Me Know If You Need Anything,’ in a Professional Setting
Work isn’t a place where humanity is left at the door. So, when a boss or coworkers can come together for the sake of another, then the whole company gets a morale boost.
15. “Everyone has pooled together our sick hours, and we are giving them to you. If there’s anything else we can do, we’re here for you.”
If your company allows for personnel to pool sick hours, then this is a great way to help out a coworker who needs time off to manage issues or tragedies at home.
16. “Don’t worry about it. Take all the time you need. Just keep us informed on how we can help.”
In this time of families scattered all over the world for work reasons, it’s important to be a good boss in times of great tragedy, especially for steadfast employees.
17. “We know that you’re going through a tough time, so if you need to be first off this week, it’s okay with us. Just let us know.”
Restaurant or gig workers don’t have much of a choice when it comes to working during hard times. So, when the whole team comes together to help out if it’s needed, there can be a huge amount of stress relief on that coworker.
18. “Hey, Tom, I know you’re not feeling the best lately, so you’re welcome to take some extra days off or come in late or leave early for a while. Whatever you need is okay.”
It’s not always easy knowing what to say to a coworker when they are sick, but it’s easy knowing how to help. Sicknesses need time for recovery. As a boss, providing that will boost their healing time and company morale.
19. “We are all feeling the crunch right now with what’s going on, so if there’s anything the company can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask.”
The world is a crazy place. So, when crazy things happen, it’s good to let your staff know you don’t expect them to be robots.
20. “It’s not my business, but if you need an outside opinion, I’m here for you.”
Even though boss and employee relationships have boundaries, it's okay to take the human tone with your staff. It's also necessary from time to time.
21. “Just to let you know, the sick days that you have aren’t just for a cold or the flu. Use them as you need and then come talk to me if you run out.”
Mental health days are as important as physical health days as both can affect work adversely. By letting your employees know this straight from the horse’s mouth, you’re giving them permission not to feel guilty.
How Can I Help?
The easiest way to know what to say to someone is to think about how you would like someone to talk to you if you are having some life hiccups.
Or, just ask. With a dose of sincerity, you’ll find success in your words no matter what they are.