3. “I know exactly how you feel.”
Even if you’ve experienced a similar loss, grief is deeply personal. No two people feel it the same way. Saying you “know exactly” how someone feels can shift the focus away from them and onto you. It may come across as presumptive or dismissive.
What to say instead:
“I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but I’m here for you.”
This shows empathy and support without making assumptions about their experience.
4. “Everything happens for a reason.”
While this phrase might stem from a place of faith or belief, it can feel cold and philosophical in the face of raw emotion. Trying to assign meaning to someone’s death too soon can sound detached or even offensive to someone still in shock and sorrow.
Continued on next page//
