Slack Emoji for Condolences: What to React With, and What to Say
The right Slack emoji for condolences are โค๏ธ :heart:, ๐ :pray:, ๐ค :hugging_face:, ๐ :bouquet:, ๐ฏ๏ธ :candle: and ๐๏ธ :dove_of_peace:. Avoid ๐, โ and ๐, which read as 'noted'. Add a few words in the thread or a DM. Short condolence messages, get-well emoji, and custom 'thinking of you' emoji.
The right Slack emoji for condolences are the ones nobody can misread: โค๏ธ :heart:, ๐ :pray:, ๐ค :hugging_face:, ๐ :bouquet:, ๐ฏ๏ธ :candle:, ๐๏ธ :dove_of_peace: and ๐ :blue_heart:. Avoid ๐, โ and ๐ on sad news; at work they mean "noted" or "done". An emoji reaction is a kind first step in a big channel, but on its own it can feel like a shrug. Add a line in the thread, or send the person a short DM.
We build Slack Green, which keeps your Slack status green from our servers during the hours you set. For a custom "thinking of you" or "take care" emoji your team can reuse, try the free Slack emoji maker.
Slack emoji for condolences and sympathy
| Emoji | Code | Reads as |
|---|---|---|
| โค๏ธ | :heart: | Care, support |
| ๐ | :blue_heart: | Calm support, less intense than red |
| ๐ | :pray: | Sympathy, "thinking of you" |
| ๐ค | :hugging_face: | A virtual hug |
| ๐ | :bouquet: | Flowers, condolences |
| ๐ฏ๏ธ | :candle: | Remembrance |
| ๐๏ธ | :dove_of_peace: | Peace, remembrance |
| ๐ป | :sunflower: | Get well soon, warmth |
Type the code in the message field or search the word in the reaction picker. To react, hover over the message, click the smiley face with a plus, and pick one. One reaction is enough; a row of different emoji on sad news looks busy.
Emoji to avoid on sad news
- โข ๐ thumbs up, โ check mark, ๐ eyes. At work these mean "seen", "done" or "on it". On a message about a death or an illness they read as cold. What ๐ means in Slack is in what does the eyes emoji mean in Slack.
- โข ๐, ๐, ๐ฅ and anything playful. A misclick happens; check the reaction before you leave.
- โข ๐ข crying face. Fine from a close teammate, heavy from someone who barely knows the person. A heart is safer.
What to say in Slack instead of only an emoji
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A short message in the thread or a DM means more than a reaction. Keep it short and do not ask for details:
I'm so sorry for your loss, [name]. Thinking of you and your family.
So sorry to hear this. Take all the time you need, we've got things covered.
Sending you and your family love. No need to reply.
I'm sorry, [name]. If there's anything I can take off your plate, just say.
Thinking of you. Please don't worry about work this week.For someone who is ill:
Get well soon, [name]. We'll keep things moving here.
Sorry you're unwell. Rest up, no need to reply.
Thinking of you and wishing you a quick recovery."No need to reply" helps. People on leave for a loss often feel they must answer every message.
Make a custom "thinking of you" emoji
Some teams add a custom emoji for these moments, so everyone uses the same gentle one. Open the Slack emoji maker, choose Text to emoji, type "thinking of you" or "take care" on up to three short lines, pick a soft color, and download it. Then add it with Add Emoji in the emoji picker; the steps are in how to add custom emoji to Slack. Name it something easy to find, such as :thinking-of-you:.
When a coworker is on bereavement leave
For happier moments, see Slack emoji for thank you.
FAQ
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What emoji should I use for condolences in Slack? โค๏ธ :heart:, ๐ :pray:, ๐ค :hugging_face: or ๐ :bouquet:. Then add a few words.
Is a thumbs up OK for sad news in Slack? No. At work ๐ reads as "noted". Use a heart instead.
Is an emoji reaction enough for condolences? In a large channel it is a kind start. Add a short line in the thread or a DM.
What is the Slack emoji for get well soon? ๐ป :sunflower:, ๐ :bouquet: or โค๏ธ :heart:, with a short "get well soon" message.
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