David Kessler explains what to say to a grieving friend: admit you don't have the right words, offer to be available, share a memory of the person they lost, say "I'm sorry for your loss," and show up rather than try to fix their grief.
What do I say to my friend after they have lost someone?
Some things to say to your friend after they have lost someone is to just be honest and say, I don't know what the right words are, but just know I'm here for you. You can call me anytime and talk about it. It's also nice sometimes to share a favorite memory of the loved one. You can just say something as simple as, I'm sorry for your loss. Remind them that you're there for them. It's really the simpler things. You don't need to fix them. Just know that they're hurting, they're in pain, and you're their friend, and it's nice that you're by their side.
