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Hey man, hope you're doing okay. I know it's hard, but keep smiling. She'd want it that way. :) Sorry for your loss.


Please understand that something you think is helpful may not be. You should assume it isn't unless you have specific knowledge of the person involved.

In general, the bereaved don't need platitudes which cheapen their loss or try to fast-forward them through the grieving process. Don't presume to know what the deceased _or_ the bereaved feel or _should_ feel, and don't assume they share/d your beliefs.

Instead of 'comfort and a kind word', try 'comfort' until you are asked for more. Be present for those who are grieving. Offer to help in any way you can if you can, and help when called upon.

Just listening is profoundly useful. Often, they're not really listening to you anyway.


Half agree with your post, but I can see why you are downvoted.

To me, in grief, platitudes and comforting words seem like a useless distraction and annoyance, but I wouldn't then go on to suggest your way of being around the grieving is what everybody needs to be doing. He was being nice and wasn't hurting anybody doing it, and there isn't such a dearth of those posts that we need to attack them.


Disagree. While I was processing the pain of the sudden death of a family friend, someone who acted like a father to me my entire life someone else said something that she thought was being nice. In that moment it upset me so much I probably could have stabbed her. I still can't forgive her for it. She did hurt someone by doing it.

Keep it to yourself.

By the way, her words were something along to lines of "He's with God now, and that's the best thing in the world."


I upvoted you here. Platitudes are generally unnecessary and shocks' tone was a bit prescriptive. It's just not good manners.




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