What to Say to Someone Who Lost a Loved One: Finding the Right Words of Comfort

We all know that feeling when someone close to us is grieving and we just don't know what to say. The truth is, words can't take away the pain.

I’ve always believed there are no perfect words to make someone feel better after losing a loved one — but there are words that can offer comfort, and just as importantly, words that can unintentionally make things worse. Knowing the difference can mean everything to someone who’s hurting.

Every time I tried to comfort my friends or family members after a loss, I said, "I know that words can’t fix this, but I’m here for you." It wasn’t profound, but it was honest — and sometimes, that’s what people need most: presence, not platitudes.

What to Say to a Grieving Person

When someone is grieving, they don’t expect you to have all the answers or to ease their pain. However, offering sincere words of empathy can create a safe space for them to share their feelings.

The key is to be present, acknowledge their loss, and validate their emotions. Simple, heartfelt expressions of support can make all the difference in helping a grieving person feel less alone.

Here are some examples of things to say to a person who has experienced the passing of someone they love, along with why these phrases are comforting:

• I’m so sorry for your loss. My heart is with you, and I hope you know you’re not alone in this. I’m holding you close in my thoughts.
• This is such a hard thing to go through, and I’m here for you. You don’t have to go through it alone — I want to be here in whatever way you need.
• Whatever you’re feeling right now is okay. There’s no right or wrong way to grieve, and you don’t need to justify any of it. I’m here to support you through it all.
• I wish I had the right words — just know I care deeply. Sometimes silence speaks more than words, and I’ll sit beside you through this.
• I don’t know what to say, but I’m not going anywhere. You don’t have to talk if you don’t feel like it — I’ll simply be here with you.
• They’ll always hold a place in our hearts and memories. Nothing can take that away, and I’ll always remember them with you.
• If it’s okay with you, I’d love to share a favorite memory of them. I hope it brings a little light in the heaviness of today.
• Tell me what you need — or let me just sit with you in silence if that helps more. I’ll follow your lead, and there’s no pressure to be or do anything right now.
• I’m here in whatever way you need — now or later. Whether it’s talking, crying, or simply being together in quiet, I’m not going anywhere.
• You’re in my thoughts, and I’m sending you love and strength every day. If you ever want to talk or need anything at all, I’m just a message away.

What Not to Say to a Grieving Person

While it's tempting to offer reassurance or try to make things better, certain phrases can diminish the grieving person's emotions or make them feel pressured to "move on" too quickly.

Avoiding these types of statements can prevent unintentionally invalidating their feelings. Grief is a personal journey, and there’s no need to push someone toward healing before they are ready.

Here are some examples of things you don't want to say to someone who is grieving, along with why these phrases can be harmful:

• Death is a part of life — it’s better to accept it.
• Everything happens for a reason.
• They’re in a better place now.
• You’ll move on — everyone does eventually.
• Don’t let your feelings overwhelm you.
• You need to be strong for your family.
• Try to distract yourself — it helps.
• At least they lived a full life.
• I know exactly how you feel.
• God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.

How to Comfort Someone Who Lost a Loved One

Comfort involves helping ease the burden of grief and pain. To provide meaningful support, it’s important to understand what the person in front of you truly needs.

For some individuals processing loss, the healing process might require words of affirmation. For others, meaningful actions might be more helpful.

For many, just knowing their pain is heard goes a long way. After all, not everyone wants to talk about their loss. In such instances, offering support through simply listening, or just being present, can be enough.

As the saying goes, sometimes silence speaks louder than words.

So, how do you go about it? What is the right or wrong thing to say? And how can you help someone who is grieving feel supported?

It all starts with showing up.

Show Up for the Bereaved Person

As humans, we are wired to thrive within a social support network. We offer and receive comfort from our friends and family to promote healing. And for someone grieving, knowing that they are not stranded makes a big difference.

Do this by simply being there for the person. If you can do so in person, do it. If not, then a phone call or text message can go a long way too. The idea is to be there for the bereaved to let them know they have a loved one to talk to.

Acknowledge Their Loss

Acknowledging the loss of a bereaved person is crucial for their grieving process. It allows them to see that their pain is real and that someone else acknowledges it.

Do Say:

I am sorry for your loss. What you are going through is tough.

Remember to acknowledge their grief without rationalizing it. For a grieving person, it does not matter if the death of their loved one was part of God's plan or a way to send them off to a better place. What matters is that they lost them. And they should be able to grieve such a loss without feeling invalidated.

Do Not Say:

These things happen to everyone, don't feel sad.

Allow Them to Express Themselves

Grief is multifaceted and makes each individual's grieving process unique; especially because of how different every bereaved person’s experience is. However, one thing stays constant, the need to express.

For someone grieving, it is important to express what they feel. Owning and expressing such feelings carries one through the stages of grief and towards acceptance; helping a bereaved person heal.

Is there a right or wrong way of doing so? Not really.

While some might express their grief by talking about the deceased, others might want to hear someone else’s special memory of them. Some might opt for attending a support group to know they are not alone, while others might prefer processing their loss in private.

Whatever the way of expression, be there for them.

Do Say:

Even if you don't feel like talking, know I am here and that I will be checking up again soon.

Do Not Say:

Take my advice and do not be sad. It is a part of life.

Recognize the Struggles of Their Personal Grieving Process

Understanding what a grieving person is going through is important to offer bereavement support; because it is not only about losing a loved one, it is also about losing the possibility of all the things that could have been.

Such a loss is hard to recover from and brings in a magnitude of overwhelming emotions (this is especially true when the loss is due to suicide, which can add layers of guilt, confusion, and trauma).

Therefore, instead of telling a grieving person to "move on" or "focus on the days ahead", look into their experience with empathy. Be present and attentive to their struggle without imposing onto them what you think would work best.

Remember, their emotions are unique. So is the way they choose to cope with the pain that more often than not seems bottomless. Hence, instead of minimizing their grief, focus on choosing the right words to validate their loss. Acknowledge their pain and allow them to see that they can learn to grow around their grief. 

For someone with high emotional intelligence, showcasing empathy to someone grieving comes naturally. But if you find it challenging, up next we are going to discuss some more specific things to say and avoid when offering support. 

After that, we will offer tips on how to help someone who lost a loved one.

Final Thoughts on Supporting a Grieving Person

Navigating conversations around loss is never easy, but finding the right words can offer immense comfort to the person grieving.

Grief is deeply personal, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every individual’s journey through loss is different. Whether it’s offering a listening ear, recognizing his or her feelings, or providing practical support, each small act of kindness can make a meaningful difference in the healing process.

Supporting someone through grief requires compassion, patience, and attentiveness to their unique needs. By being mindful of both what to say and what to avoid, we can help a loved one feel understood and supported during these pivotal moments, which often shape a person’s adult life.

So, as you reflect on what you’ve learned, consider how you’ll apply these insights to offer comfort to someone mourning today—whether through your presence, your words, or simply by listening.