I say my thoughts are with you at this difficult time. If it is a close friend, I would offer my help in any capacity they might need.

I usually say: Sending positive healing energy. I'll be thinking about you and your family. Hugs!

I also tell the person they and their family are in my thoughts, and that it is my hope that their forms will warm their hearts in the midst of their grief. It is my belief that deep grief can be embraced as evidence of great love.

It depends greatly on how close you are to the person you are expressing your sympathy, and how conest you feel you can be with thyem. If I am not really close, I simply say, (I am sorry for your loss.)

sorry for your loss

Gone to a better place where there is no pain

Gift certificates to a take-out in their area. There are so many things to take care of in those first few days.
And the shock, especially if unexpected may send a person into near debilitating depression.
Maybe offering to pay for house cleaning for awhile.

Visit even though they may be horrible company.

So sorry for your loss. I'm here if you want to talk, cry, vent, remember.

I usually tell them I am sorry for their lost and send my deepest condolences.

I have a lot of facebook friends that I went to high school with who I haven't seen in years and so I will say, "I'm so sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you and your family" If they are someone I'm closer to, like family or a close friend, I will add a comment that speaks of the departed's good qualities.

I have an old childhood friend going through chemo. I tell her I am thinking about her. Sorry to hear if family loss.

I lived in the middle East for a while and I have adopted a version of what they say that I feel conveys sympathy without invoking a deity or referencing an afterlife.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May peace and grace be upon you and yours now and forever.

I offer them my sincerest condolences.

I try to remember something about the person who passed away and post that instead of "Prayers"

Honestly that they are in my thoughts. If I am closer to them then offer some time, food, possibly a little day to day support while they are adjusting. Usually that first week or so is pretty busy with people in and out and the funeral, wake, whatever else the family might have planned. It's usually the weeks that follow that are the harder to deal with. Checking in with them a few weeks after if you are close enough to them is a good thing to do and letting them spill a bit if they need to.

If they were close enough for me to say something I’ll call. Then if it’s possible I’ll show up and if not I’ll send fruit or a food basket but never flowers ... people grieving forget to eat.... when my dad passed my mom needed the food and was made more upset by flowers. Once the dining table was full of vases and flowers she made me get it all out... FB is not the place. IMHO

My best friend's mother passed less than a month ago. I knew "Mamá Ñata" for over 40 years.

I didn't say "Lidia, I am sorry"....but I wrote "directly to Mamá Ñata" telling her, how important she was for me. My girlfriend understood.

That works.

Its not easy to find words of encouragement on such circumstances (regardless of the media or face to face, etc). However, I have learned over the years how love ones appreciate kind words in those difficult times. Probably the worst thing one can say its to say nothing...

Either I am sorry or deepest condolences..

I don't do that on Facebook. Social media isn't the place for everything, imo

I'm sorry for your loss.

I say 'my deepest sympathies and condolences to you and your family'.

I say, "My condolences to you and your family."

Sorry for your loss