Help! Okuyami? (condolences in easy to write Japanese)

[Taro Toporific]

I've gotta sign a funeral guest register of dead coworker in a couple of hours. Problem: Anybody know a good way to express formal condolences in easy to write Japanese?

So far I've written the obvious: Hontoo-ni nanto ittara ii-ka... kokoro-kara okuyami mooshiagemasu.


Situation:
Coworker is young, male and almost unknown to me.
Technically I was his "boss" (I'm twice his age, education, etc.).
I have to write "something" --a just a few lines of "worm writing."

[Steve Bildermann]

Actually it is better to write nothing except your name and give your condolence money (OKoden) to the receptionist.

After that go over and introduce yourself and speak personally for a while to the family.

That has been my pattern for more than twenty years and it has always been well received.

[Taro Toporific]

Actually it is better to write nothing except your name and give your condolence money (OKoden) to the receptionist.
After that go over and introduce yourself and speak personally for a while to the family. .

Yep, I normally do just that (since nobody wants their register to be befouled vile gaijiin handwriting).

This time however, my CEO (Chinese) is making a big issue out me always snaking out of Japanese formalities. My ocha-girl warned me that Butthead-shacho will be waiting to see what I write at 11am. Fine. I'll just write in my name in funky katakana. IF forced at gunpoint I'll write in my mo' funky katakana-looking hiragana, Hontoo-ni nanto ittara ii-ka..... (I really don't know what to say...)

[Steve Bildermann]

[Taro Toporific]

[Steve Bildermann]

Sadly at this time of life I'm thinking of having cards made up with it pre printed. Old friends are dropping like flies.

[Taro Toporific]