Bereavement advice please
What's the best way to express sympathy to a business acquaintance who has just lost someone they loved?
Is a simple "I'm sorry" enough? I'm not sure what the etiquette is here.
Assuming this is someone you know fairly well even though you didn't know their loved one personally, is it more appropriate not to mention it at all? Please share how you would handle this situation.
Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!
2. "I'm so sorry to hear about...your mother, Janet, whomever", said with a get-away option in the event the person brushes you off.
My favorite book about grieving is When Children Grieve, by John James. He has a similar book for adults but I think the children's book is more complete.
For closer friends and such I like to go to the wake, if there is one. Even if I didn't know the deceased, I'm there to support my friend.
Obviously, everyone is different and some people don't want to talk about it at all, but I suspect it is entirely, always, appropriate to say something like: "Friend, I just wanted to tell you that I am truely sorry for your loss; I have (or have not) been there but I know it just plain sucks right now. If you want to talk or if there's anything I can do, I will.