It's not a subject that we discuss easily but it is inevitable. Unfortunately, we all will face a time when a friend loses a member of their family due to a fatal accident, illness, disease or old age. This is certainly one of the most uncomfortable experiences for all parties that one will ever encounter. It leaves us rather helpless because we would like to say something meaningful to the grieving party and, at the same time, not add more to the pain that they are already experiencing. So what can you say that will not trivialize the severity of the loss and also not be overbearing. I offer the following suggestion and hope that you will not have to write or say something like this very often in your life.

There really are no words that can do justice to the loss of a member of one's family. We can only express our sympathies and hope that you and your family are doing better now.

Sadly, life is short and we should do what we can to make everyone's time on this space as enjoyable and fulfilling as one can. Making someone smile who has just lost a loved one is a very magical experience. You get a sense of doing something very worthwhile. I remember that smile on my Mom's face the day my Dad was gone.