telegram of condolence; condolence telegram
A formal telegram sent to express sympathy upon someone's death. In modern contexts, often replaced by other means of communication, but the term remains in use for formal or traditional settings.
Since I couldn't attend the funeral, I sent a telegram of condolence.
Since the president of our business partner had passed away, our company sent a condolence telegram.
The day before the funeral, condolence telegrams arrived from various people.
The emcee read out the condolence telegrams partway through the ceremony.
Since I live far away, I couldn't attend the wake, so I sent a condolence telegram.