What do you say to someone who's mother died last night in hospital?

[naps with cats]

In all honesty, you can just go to visit her, give her a hug and sit with her, lean against her with your friendship arm around her. If she wants to talk, she will, and you can help so much by just repeating back what she said so she knows you understand.

Like if she does start talking (she may not, may just cry and you can just be a loving shoulder for her), but if she talks and says something, for instance, like,

"I don't know how I'm going to go on, I can't imagine life without my mother, what am I going to do?"

You can reply something like "So it sounds like you're feeling very helpless right now, especially without your mom here. What you are going to do is go through the grieving process, no matter how long it takes, and then slowly, but slowly - without ever forgetting your mom, life will make a little bit of sense again. Over time, it will make more sense and you will go on. I will help you in any way I can, you just give me the word and I am here for you, my friend! Are you okay with that?"