“When something bad happens to someone you care about, you want to find the perfect words of comfort to make it all better. But the truth is there are no words that will make it better. Your words of love and support can comfort and ease the pain, but no words will be able to take it away. I see grief as a journey and with each painful step the load lessens, as if you were dropping pebbles from your packet on each bend in the trial. So don’t get caught up with trying to find the right words. Keep it simple. Say things like, “I’m sorry, I’m here for you,” or “If you need to just talk, I am a phone call away.” – by Kelly Buckley who lost her 23-year-old son unexpectedly, and wrote “Gratitude in Grief”
“When a friend is grieving, your consistent, compassionate, (even) wordless presence is far more helpful than unhelpful platitudes and hurry-up-and-get-over-it-un-asked-for- advice.” ~ Sue Rosenbloom
Loss, Grief, Bereavement and Life Transitions Resource Library 