The elderly mother of a friend of mine died today of natural causes. She was understandably sad in her message to me. Here is part of my reply, which I feel can help others in bereavement over their parents.
In a way, she is still here, in the form of her genes passed on to her children and grandchildren. So when you see your siblings or your children, you are also seeing her. Hug them, and you hug her. .... and don't forget to look at her in the mirror each morning.
Very nice sentiment. It's hard to convey a secular message what with "Thoughts and Prayers" said by everybody. I'll say that when I lost family members I took religious condolences with thanks in the spirit that they were given.
As do I. Anything else is petty to me.