How can you express your deepest sympathies at a funeral/wake?
605277
you can say, "my condolences"
560667
I would use:\n\n\nI am very sorry to hear about your tragic loss.\n\nUsing am if this is a recent loss, if it happened quite some time ago you can use the term "was".  I was sorry to hear about the loss of _________ last year (or whenever).
282570
First may I give my sympathies for everyones loss.\n\nBut that's where the sympathy ends. There is no such thing as GOD. the accident was just that. It was an accident.\n\nTime to move on.
1058443
Did you know the woman personally, or anything special about her (hobbies, collections, etc., especially ones you might share)?  If so, you might want to throw in a happy memory or something like that.  If not, his thought that YOU thought enough to send  condolences will probably serve.
730138
most deffinitley a wake, it is a lot less depressing. A funerall if for people that are close to the deaceased one. Im sorry for the loss.
291062
I am very sorry for you loss. Each person grieves differently and for various times. As each days passes it will hopefully get easier for you. Take care and I will keep you in my prayers.
587668
Hey your story touched me so i thought i would take the time to answer it, at least as best as i can! x\n\nFirstly, it must be dreadful to feel empty and lonely-as in a sense, perhaps you feel like you have lost half of your identity, as obviousley your mum is half of your biological makeup-and half of you!\n\nBut on the opposide side of this, is the fact that in that sense, she will always be a part of you, as you are half of her, which should give you some comfort. You are one of the closest people to her; so when you feel lonely and down think about this!\n\nAlso Never say Never either, and keep an open mind! Who is to say there isnt an afterlife? Its best not to think pessimistic, and say that you will never see her again. If she died, perhaps she died for a reason and is no longer in pain and is in peace.\n\nTry to talk to a close member of your family who would perhaps understand. Try not to dwell on the past and embrace the family that you have presently. At the end of the day your mum is in your heart and is a part of you, and that will never fade.\n\nxx
825701
I sincerely hope that your family is able to heal and recover from it's terrible loss.\n\nAll the best.
392895
First... I am sorry for your loss... Second telling him at home with everyone there will be better but I will not be easy... At some level you father knows that he is dying... and that the end is near... So I would say.. be strong... be supportive... and be understanding... \n\nWith that there is no right way to tell him... but I would say just telling him is the best... Let him know the doctors have done all they can... that the sickness is to advance.. and that there is no medical cure for it... That at the illness current status it will overcome him... and that he will pass away.. don't tell him he will just fall asleep unless you are medicating him with heavy pain pills...\n\nOnce you tell him... be prepared for the 5 stages of death... Denial... anger... Bargaining... Depression... and finally acceptance... note that he may go through these steps fast slow... multiple times... and maybe each time he sees a family member or friend... also remember that he will not be the only one... You and all your family and friends will also go through these steps... \n\nAgain I am sorry for you loss... I hope this helps... in some way...
1034234
This sense of loss you feel is real.Everyone grieves for diffferent periods of time.I can relate to how you feel since both my parents died almost 3 years ago. My dad was sick for some time and when he died it was almost a blessing to see him at peace.My mother dies 10 days later and it was such a shock.I tried to deal with my loss by talking about my feelings with my family.I found comfort in making a scrapbook about them. Sometimes it is the little things that will remind you of them. It may be hearing a song, seeing someone who vaguely resembles your loved ones, scents from perfume  or something so commonplace you associate it with your parents.These  memories while they give you sadness at first they later give you comfort when you realized you loved your parents and they loved you.I hope I can share a small prayer that I had read at my parent's funeral ."The Lord shall have their souls to keep, And I their fond memories when I sleep."
627686
I would approach them and simply say you understand that you don't know them very well, but you wanted to tell them how sorry you are for their loss.  You ask them if there is anything you could do for them.  Take them a meal.  Attend the funeral service (Especially if you live in a state where that "church" has been going to protest at military funerals, saying they deserve to die since they are defending a country that harbors homosexuals.  They are disturbing the funerals, and that is VERY hard on the families, so any people there in support of the family and their grief helps as a buffer from these people.)  If you and your other neighbors have flags in your yard, you could consider asking them all to consider flying their flags at half mast between now and the funeral.  (The proper way to to this is to run it all the way up, then lower it to half.  When you bring it in, run it all the way up again, then lower it.  If it's on a house mounted pole, you adjust the angle of the pole until it's straight out, but do not lower it below that.)\n\nYou let them know you are there if they want to talk about it, and you DO NOT discuss the politics of the war, whether they should all come home, or whether he died for a good cause, how horrible the Pres. is, how you hope he took a few of those "so and so's" with him, or anything like that.  \n\nMilitary families are just like any other - some feel one way, and some feel the other, and unless you know without a doubt their views on the subject, words that were meant to be supportive can end up causing more pain.  Right now, to them, it's not a Soldier, Marine, Sailor, or Airman who was killed.  It's their son, the little boy they raised, who is dead.  Too often people who mean well just don't see that, and it causes more grief.  \n\nIf the family wants to talk about any of that, then take your cues from them - even if you disagree with them - don't discuss opposing views, no matter how "gently" they are shared.  \n\nI'm sorry if some of this sounds offensive, or like it implies you would do this, but you would be surprised at just how many people DO make comments along those lines, without any idea of how painful they can be to the families.\n\nIn short, avoid the politics, and give them the same support and sympathy you would if their child had been killed in any other way.
712233
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies for your loss.  You are in our thoughts today and in the days ahead.\n\nSincerely,\n\nThe staff of (your name here)
247074
I recently lost my mom, this was hard because she was only 50 and it was completely unexpected. At her funeral service everybody in our very large extended family had something good to say, and not a single person had any negative. That is what I want.
866502
Are you talking about death? If so you have to think about what is best for the person you love. Are they in pain? Will they be better off if they die? Do you want to keep them alive for you and not let them go so they can finally rest? Losing my grandma was horrible but it was best for her. Its hard to deal with and everyone deals with it differently. I grieve before and during the funeral. After I remember the good things and talk about the person. I still feel sad when I think about her and sometimes tear up but I know she is better than she was.
179240
I'm so sorry to hear this. Well i know how you feel i have gone through 4 loved ones deaths. It will be hard to go through, what i love to do was surround my self with friends and family, and remember the person who just passed on. ITs good to cry, makes you feel better. Sometimes writing can help. but i blive that friends and family around is the best thing, they can cheer you!!! I am praying for you and god bless you all. im so sorry!
923085
=I am sorry for the loss of your classmate. The guidance counselor is always there to help you as well as keep talking about it because it helps process the grief you are feeling.  Try to go to the wake and maybe the funeral with someone.  It would also be a nice gesture on your part to send the family a sympathy card telling them why their loved one was so special to you.  God Bless.
1023086
"Never does one feel oneself so utterly helpless as in trying to speak comfort for great bereavement. I will not try it. Time is the only comforter for the loss of a mother."\n\nAuthor: Jane Welsh Carlyle\nSource: None\n\nhttp://www.worldofquotes.com/topic/Death-_-Immortality/2/index.html