Number-one worst fact about life: People die. When they do, they're missed. What can you do to comfort friends and family of the recently deceased? Lots of things--but, at the very least: write.

Condolence letters need not be long, elaborate, or literary enough for publication. They need only be written. If sincerely, briefly, and with a favorite recollection, all the better.

As the wise and wonderful Judith Martin ("Miss Manners") pointed out in her Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, avoiding this task will just make you feel awkward later, when you run into the person you meant to write to, but didn't. (She's right. I know.)

By the way, don't email your message; write it (by hand, unless your writing is very difficult to read, or you have a disability that makes hand writing impossible). You can't know how much it might mean to a friend, former friend or even an acquaintance that you took the time to offer a word of comfort.