A message of condolence is a message in which you express your sympathy for someone because one of their friends or relatives has died recently. Neil sent him a letter of condolence
When you offer or express your condolences to someone, you express your sympathy for them because one of their friends or relatives has died recently. He expressed his condolences to the families of the people who died in the incident. sympathy for someone who has had something bad happen to them, especially when someone has died (condolere , from com- ( COM-) + dolere )