Formal — to stranger
Workplace · Email
弊社代表取締役 山田太郎儀、かねてより病気療養中のところ、去る五月十日に永眠いたしました。 — Our company's President, Mr. Yamada Taro, who had been receiving medical care for some time, passed away on May 10th. (Workplace · Email, Formal — to stranger, JLPT N2)
You
弊社代表取締役 山田太郎儀、かねてより病気療養中のところ、去る五月十日に永眠いたしました。
へいしゃだいひょうとりしまりやくやまだたろうぎ、かねてよりびょうきりょうようちゅうのところ、さるごがついつかにえいみんいたしました。
Our company's President, Mr. Yamada Taro, who had been receiving medical care for some time, passed away on May 10th.
Romaji: Heisha daihyou torishimariyaku Yamada Tarou gi, kanete yori byouki ryouyou-chuu no tokoro, saru gogatsu tooka ni eimin itashimashita. / Reply Romaji: Kokoro yori okuyami moushi agemasu.
Reply
心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。
こころよりおくやみもうしあげます。
I offer my heartfelt condolences.
Gesture & etiquette
Email or formal printed notice. Black-bordered (kuro-waku) stationery for printed versions. Avoid all decorative elements. Subject line: '【訃報】弊社代表取締役 山田太郎'. Plain prose, no exclamation marks, no emoji. Distribution typically wider than usual business announcements.
Death notice (fuhou) language is highly formalized. 'Heisha' is the humble word for 'our company.' '◯◯ gi' is an archaic particle indicating the subject of the announcement. 'Eimin' (eternal sleep) is the formal term for death — softer than 'shibou.' Avoid 'shinda' (died) — always use the elevated forms in formal notices. The notice typically continues with funeral arrangements, family wishes regarding flowers/condolence money, and contact information.