Life throws curveballs, and sometimes those curveballs are family emergencies that require our immediate, undivided attention.
When you need to step away from work to be there for loved ones, communicating your absence clearly and compassionately is key.
These out-of-office messages are designed to help you do just that, offering a range of tones from brief and direct to warm and explanatory.
We’ve compiled a comprehensive list to ease the burden of crafting the perfect message during a difficult time.
Brief & Direct Messages
Sometimes, less is more when you’re dealing with a family emergency.
A concise message lets people know you’re unavailable without oversharing personal details.
These options are perfect for those moments when you need to communicate quickly and efficiently.
1. “I am currently out of the office due to a family emergency and will have limited access to email. I will respond as soon as possible.” – This message is straightforward and sets expectations about your availability.
2. “Unavailable due to a family emergency. Please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email/Phone] for urgent matters.” – This provides an immediate point of contact for critical issues.
3. “Family emergency – I will be out of the office until further notice. I will check emails periodically.” – This indicates a potentially longer absence and a reduced response rate.
4. “Out of office for a family emergency. Your email is important to me, and I will get back to you upon my return.” – This reassures the sender that their message is valued.
5. “Due to an unforeseen family emergency, I am currently unavailable. I apologize for any inconvenience.” – This is a polite and professional way to state your absence.
6. “Responding with delays due to a family emergency. Thank you for your patience.” – This acknowledges that responses will be slower than usual.
7. “Urgent family matter requires my attention. I will be offline until [Date/Time].” – This provides a clear, albeit potentially flexible, return timeframe.
8. “Family emergency in progress. I will be checking emails sporadically.” – This suggests you might see messages but can’t guarantee a timely reply.
9. “Away from my desk due to a family emergency. For immediate assistance, please reach out to [Team/Department].” – This directs urgent queries to a collective resource.
10. “Unable to respond promptly due to a family emergency. I will address your message upon my return.” – This is a simple and effective way to manage expectations.
11. “Family emergency. I will be out of the office and will respond to your message upon my return.” – A very brief and to-the-point option.
12. “Attending to a family emergency. Limited email access. Will reply ASAP.” – Uses abbreviations common in informal professional communication.
13. “Emergency family situation. I will be out of office. Please expect delays in response.” – Clearly states the reason and the consequence for communication.
14. “Taking time off for a family emergency. I will be back on [Date] and will catch up then.” – Provides a specific return date for clarity.
15. “Out of office: Family emergency. I will respond when I can.” – Simple, direct, and manages expectations of immediate replies.
16. “Personal emergency requiring my absence. I will reply upon my return.” – Uses a slightly more general term while still conveying the seriousness.
17. “Family emergency. I will be offline for the next [Number] days. Thank you.” – Gives a concrete timeframe for absence.
18. “Focusing on a family emergency. Please direct urgent requests to [Colleague’s Name].” – Clearly delegates urgent tasks.
19. “Unavailable due to a family emergency. I will respond to your email when I return.” – A standard and professional option.
20. “Family emergency. I will be checking emails intermittently. Your patience is appreciated.” – Sets the expectation for sporadic replies.
These messages aim to convey the necessary information without unnecessary detail.
Warm & Explanatory Messages
Sometimes, a little more context can convey empathy and understanding to those who reach out.
These messages offer a slightly warmer tone while still maintaining professional boundaries.
They aim to let people know you’re dealing with something important and appreciate their understanding.
21. “I am currently out of the office attending to an urgent family matter. I appreciate your understanding and will respond to your message as soon as possible.” – This message is professional and expresses gratitude for patience.
22. “Due to a family emergency, I will be out of the office for an undetermined amount of time. I will do my best to check emails periodically and will respond when I am able.” – This acknowledges the uncertainty of the situation while promising to check in.
23. “I’m stepping away from my desk to be with my family during a difficult time. I will have limited access to email but will respond as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience.” – This offers a bit more personal context and expresses thanks.
24. “Please note that I am currently out of the office dealing with a family emergency. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email/Phone]. I will respond to all other messages upon my return.” – This provides a clear alternative for urgent needs.
25. “I’m currently unavailable as I need to focus on a family emergency. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and will get back to you as soon as I am able.” – This offers an apology for potential disruption.
26. “Family emergency requires my immediate attention, so I will be out of the office. I will be checking emails sporadically and will respond when I can. Thank you for your understanding.” – This emphasizes the immediate need and the sporadic nature of replies.
27. “I am out of the office today due to an unexpected family situation. I will respond to your email upon my return on [Date]. For anything urgent, please reach out to [Colleague’s Name].” – This provides a specific return date and a contact for urgent issues.
28. “Taking some time to support my family through an emergency. I will have limited access to email but will respond as soon as my focus allows. Your patience is greatly appreciated.” – This highlights the supportive role and asks for patience.
29. “Due to a pressing family emergency, I am out of the office. I will be monitoring my emails when possible and will get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you for your flexibility.” – This uses stronger wording for the urgency and thanks for flexibility.
30. “I am currently away from my desk attending to a family emergency. I will respond to your message upon my return. In the meantime, please contact [Colleague’s Name] for immediate assistance.” – A polite way to redirect urgent queries.
31. “Family emergency has called me away. I will have limited access to email and will respond upon my return. Thank you for your understanding during this time.” – Expresses gratitude for understanding during a specific challenging period.
32. “I am out of office due to a family emergency. I will endeavor to respond to your email as soon as I can. Your patience is valued.” – A formal yet warm message that values the sender’s patience.
33. “Attending to an urgent family matter. I will be out of the office and will respond to your message upon my return. Thank you for your patience.” – Clearly states the reason for absence and thanks for patience.
34. “Due to a family emergency, I am currently unavailable. I will respond to your email as soon as possible. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.” – A polite and professional message that conveys appreciation.
35. “I am taking time away from work to address a family emergency. I will have limited email access and will respond when I can. Thank you for your support.” – This message conveys appreciation for support during a difficult time.
36. “Family emergency requires my full attention. I will be out of the office and will respond to your message upon my return. Thank you for your patience.” – Emphasizes the need for full attention and thanks for patience.
37. “I am out of the office due to a family emergency. I will be checking emails periodically and will respond as soon as I am able. Your understanding is appreciated.” – Acknowledges sporadic checking and expresses appreciation.
38. “Attending to a family emergency. I will have limited access to email and will respond upon my return. Thank you for your understanding.” – Simple, warm, and appreciative.
39. “Due to an urgent family situation, I am out of the office. I will respond to your message as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience.” – Uses “situation” which can be a softer term for emergency, and thanks for patience.
40. “I am currently out of the office due to a family emergency. I will respond to your email as soon as possible. Your understanding is appreciated.” – A very standard and well-received warm message.
These messages strike a balance between professionalism and genuine human connection.
Messages with Specific Contact Information
When you need to ensure work continues smoothly, providing clear alternative contact points is essential.
These messages specify who to contact for urgent matters, minimizing disruption.
This proactive approach ensures that critical tasks are handled even in your absence.
41. “I am out of the office due to a family emergency and will have limited access to email. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email] or [Colleague’s Phone Number].” – This provides both email and phone for the alternative contact.
42. “Due to a family emergency, I am currently unavailable. For immediate assistance, please reach out to [Team Name/Department] at [Team Email/Phone].” – This directs urgent queries to a general team or department contact.
43. “Family emergency requires my attention. I will be out of the office. If your matter is urgent, please contact [Colleague’s Name] directly. Otherwise, I will respond upon my return.” – This distinguishes between urgent and non-urgent matters.
44. “I am currently away from my desk due to a family emergency. Please direct all urgent inquiries to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email].” – A clear instruction for urgent needs.
45. “Unavailable due to a family emergency. For any critical issues that require immediate attention, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Phone Number].” – Specifically mentions “critical issues” and provides a phone number.
46. “Family emergency. I will have limited access to email. For urgent business, please contact [Colleague’s Name] who will be covering for me.” – States that the colleague is actively covering.
47. “Out of office due to a family emergency. I will respond to your message upon my return. In the meantime, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email] for assistance.” – A standard message with a clear alternative contact.
48. “Attending to a family emergency and will be out of the office. For any urgent requests, please forward them to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email/Phone].” – Uses “forward” to imply a handover of communication.
49. “Due to a family emergency, I am unable to respond promptly. Please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email] or [Colleague’s Phone Number] for any urgent matters.” – Clearly states inability to respond promptly and provides contact details.
50. “I am out of the office attending to a family emergency. If your matter requires immediate attention, please reach out to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email].” – Uses “immediate attention” to highlight urgency.
51. “Family emergency. I will be out of the office until [Date]. For urgent needs before then, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email].” – Provides a return date and an alternative contact.
52. “Unavailable due to a family emergency. I will respond upon my return. Urgent matters should be directed to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Phone Number].” – Focuses on directing urgent matters to a specific person.
53. “Out of office for a family emergency. Please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email] for any urgent issues. I will address non-urgent messages upon my return.” – Differentiates between urgent and non-urgent follow-ups.
54. “Family emergency. Limited email access. For immediate assistance, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email/Phone].” – Concise and direct with contact information.
55. “I am out of the office due to a family emergency. Please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email] for any urgent requests. I will respond to other messages when I return.” – Clearly outlines how to handle urgent versus non-urgent messages.
56. “Attending to a family emergency. I will be out of the office. For urgent matters, please reach out to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Phone Number].” – Offers a phone number for urgent contact.
57. “Due to a family emergency, I am unavailable. Please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email] for any time-sensitive issues. I will respond to your message upon my return.” – Uses “time-sensitive” to denote urgency.
58. “Family emergency requires my absence. I will have limited email access. For urgent needs, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email].” – A straightforward message with clear instructions.
59. “Out of office for a family emergency. I will respond upon my return. Urgent issues can be directed to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Phone Number].” – Provides a phone number for urgent contact.
60. “I am out of the office due to a family emergency. Please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email] for any urgent matters. Thank you for your understanding.” – A polite and professional message with clear delegation.
These messages ensure that urgent matters are handled efficiently while you attend to your family.
Messages for Extended Absences
Sometimes, a family emergency requires you to be away from work for a longer period.
These messages are designed to communicate that you’ll be out for an extended time and manage expectations accordingly.
They provide clarity about your absence and when people can expect a response.
61. “I am currently out of the office due to a family emergency and expect to be away for an extended period. I will have very limited access to email and will respond to your message upon my return.” – This clearly states the extended nature of the absence.
62. “Due to a significant family emergency, I will be out of the office indefinitely. I will provide an update on my return date as soon as possible. Please contact [Colleague’s Name] for urgent matters.” – “Indefinitely” conveys a longer, uncertain absence.
63. “I am taking time away from work to attend to a serious family emergency. My absence will likely be for an extended duration. I will respond to emails when I am able.” – “Serious” and “extended duration” communicate the gravity and length.
64. “Family emergency requires my full attention, and I will be out of the office for an extended period. I apologize for any inconvenience and will respond to your message upon my return.” – Offers an apology for the extended inconvenience.
65. “Out of office for an extended family emergency. I will have minimal email access during this time. Please reach out to [Colleague’s Name] for any urgent needs.” – “Minimal access” sets clear expectations for communication.
66. “I am currently away from work due to a family emergency that requires my extended presence. I will respond to messages when I can, but please expect significant delays.” – “Significant delays” prepares recipients for a slow response.
67. “Family emergency has necessitated an extended leave. I will be out of the office and will respond to emails upon my return. Thank you for your understanding.” – “Extended leave” is a professional term for a longer absence.
68. “Due to a family emergency, I will be out of the office for the foreseeable future. I will have limited access to email. Please contact [Colleague’s Name] for urgent matters.” – “Foreseeable future” indicates an extended and uncertain period.
69. “Attending to a family emergency that requires an extended absence. I will respond to your message as soon as possible upon my return. Your patience is appreciated.” – This message emphasizes the need for extended presence and thanks for patience.
70. “I am out of the office due to a family emergency that requires my prolonged attention. I will have intermittent access to email and will respond when I am able.” – “Prolonged attention” suggests a longer duration of care.
71. “Family emergency. I will be out of the office for an extended period. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email/Phone]. I will respond to other emails upon my return.” – Combines extended absence notification with contact for urgent needs.
72. “Due to a family emergency, I am taking an extended leave. I will have very limited email access and will respond to your message when I am back. Thank you for your understanding.” – Clearly states “extended leave” and thanks for understanding.
73. “Out of office for an extended family emergency. I will respond to your email upon my return. Please contact [Colleague’s Name] for any urgent issues.” – Directs urgent issues to a colleague during an extended absence.
74. “Family emergency requires my extended presence away from work. I will have limited access to email and will respond as soon as I can. Your patience is greatly appreciated.” – Acknowledges the need for extended presence and appreciates patience.
75. “I am out of the office due to a family emergency that requires me to be away for a significant amount of time. I will respond upon my return. Please contact [Colleague’s Name] for urgent matters.” – “Significant amount of time” clearly indicates an extended absence.
76. “Attending to a family emergency requiring an extended absence. I will have intermittent email access and will respond when possible. Thank you for your understanding.” – “Intermittent access” prepares recipients for sporadic replies.
77. “Due to a family emergency, I am out of the office for an extended period. I will respond to your message upon my return. Please direct urgent requests to [Colleague’s Name].” – A clear message for extended absences, delegating urgent tasks.
78. “Family emergency. My absence will be extended. I will have limited email access. Please contact [Colleague’s Name] for immediate assistance.” – Concise and direct about the extended nature of the absence.
79. “Out of office for an extended family emergency. I will respond to your email when I return. Thank you for your patience and understanding.” – Combines thanks for patience and understanding for an extended absence.
80. “I am out of the office due to a family emergency that requires my extended attention. I will respond to your message as soon as possible upon my return. Please contact [Colleague’s Name] for urgent matters.” – A comprehensive message for extended absences.
Communicating an extended absence requires clarity and consideration for ongoing work.
Messages with a Spiritual or Reflective Tone
For some, expressing their situation with a touch of faith or reflection can be comforting.
These messages offer a gentle, thoughtful approach to informing others about your absence.
They convey a sense of peace and trust during a challenging time.
81. “I am currently out of the office attending to a family emergency. I am leaning on my faith during this time and will respond to your message as soon as I am able. Thank you for your prayers and understanding.” – This message openly shares reliance on faith and asks for prayers.
82. “Due to a family emergency, I will be out of the office. I am holding my loved ones in my thoughts and prayers and will respond when I can. Your patience is appreciated.” – This focuses on thoughts and prayers for loved ones.
83. “Stepping away to be with family during a difficult time. I will have limited access to email but am trusting in a higher power for guidance. I will respond upon my return.” – Expresses trust in a higher power for guidance.
84. “Family emergency requires my attention. I am out of the office, finding strength in my beliefs. I will respond to your message as soon as I am able. Thank you for your understanding.” – Shares finding strength in personal beliefs.
85. “Out of office due to a family emergency. I am sending love and strength to my family and will respond when I can. Your patience is greatly appreciated.” – Focuses on sending love and strength to family.
86. “Attending to a family emergency. I will be out of the office, holding onto hope and peace. I will respond to your message upon my return. Thank you for your understanding.” – Expresses hope and peace during the absence.
87. “Due to a family emergency, I am unavailable. I am focusing on my family and trusting the process. I will respond to your email as soon as possible.” – Conveys trust in the process of the situation.
88. “Family emergency has called me away. I will have limited email access as I focus on my loved ones. I will respond when I am able. Your prayers are welcome.” – Directly welcomes prayers from others.
89. “I am out of the office due to a family emergency. I am finding solace in my faith and will respond to your message upon my return. Thank you for your support.” – Mentions finding solace in faith and thanks for support.
90. “Family emergency. I will be out of the office, seeking peace and strength. I will respond to emails when I can. Your understanding is appreciated.” – Focuses on seeking peace and strength during the absence.
91. “Out of office for a family emergency. I am holding my family close and trusting in divine timing. I will respond upon my return.” – Expresses trust in divine timing for the situation.
92. “Attending to a family emergency. I will have limited access to email as I focus on my family’s well-being. I will respond when I am able. Thank you for your patience.” – Emphasizes family well-being and thanks for patience.
93. “Due to a family emergency, I am unavailable. I am sending positive energy to my family and will respond as soon as possible. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.” – Focuses on sending positive energy.
94. “Family emergency requires my absence. I am out of the office, finding comfort in prayer. I will respond to your message upon my return.” – Mentions finding comfort in prayer.
95. “I am out of the office due to a family emergency. I am focusing on my loved ones and trusting in the journey. I will respond to your email when I can.” – Expresses trust in the journey of the situation.
96. “Family emergency. I will be out of the office, holding onto faith and hope. I will respond to emails when I can. Thank you for your understanding.” – Reiterates holding onto faith and hope.
97. “Out of office for a family emergency. I am praying for strength for my family and myself. I will respond upon my return.” – Shares the act of praying for strength.
98. “Attending to a family emergency. I will have limited access to email as I support my family. I will respond when I am able. Your patience is appreciated.” – Highlights supporting family and appreciates patience.
99. “Due to a family emergency, I am unavailable. I am seeking peace during this time and will respond as soon as possible. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.” – Focuses on seeking peace during the challenging period.
100. “Family emergency requires my absence. I am out of the office, trusting in God’s plan. I will respond to your message upon my return.” – Expresses trust in a divine plan.
These messages offer a sense of calm and faith during challenging personal times.
We hope this extensive list provides comfort and ease during difficult moments.
Remember to choose the message that best reflects your personal situation and professional context.
Taking care of family is paramount, and clear communication helps support that.
May you find the support and strength you need.