Things to say/not to say when people die.

I was answering an e-mail today from a friend who's Father just died. I know how she feels and so I wrote,"Sorry to hear about your Dad."
I am sorry to hear about your father is I think a nice way to say what you know is tough to express.
I know everyone says that and it's because we/they don't know what else to say.

I don't mind "I'm sorry to hear about your father...."
I like it better than "Sorry about your father..." You'll hear that a lot, as if the person had something to do with it..
Whenever I hear this I always feel like saying, "Why are you sorry, did you kill him?"

Also I'm not big on.."I hear you lost your father." No we didn't lose him, we know where he is, he's just not alive anymore!

It's all part of the whole loved one is dead/now your grieving package. I know it well.
As I said to my friend, "I hope your pain/sorrow/ect passes easily, even though I know there will be times when it won't."