I'd just tell them that I love them and am there for them for whatever they needed.

tell him how you feel instead of us.

If it's any consolation I don't think any of us really know what to say in that situation. I sure didn't when it happened to my grandpa.

a good hug and some time spent is good enough, I think. from reading the blog, I don't think that they really need you say anything in particular just so that they know you are there.

glad you got the letter! took a while, I guess but it made it.
all kisses of various slobber amounts accepted graciously and welcomed!

My great-aunt died slowly of Breast Cancer and I went to see her weekly. A lot of times we didn't speak. I was only there to co-miserate. Working in a nursing home I have seen many pass slowly enough for them to know it is coming. Sometimes no words of comfort are better then any that could be said.

Tell them you love them and then keep being their friend, if you are close to them, spend as much time enjoying their company as you can.

I had to watch my Aunt Maxine die for a year. We didn't waste our time talking about it or being sad about it. We spent every moment we could together, laughing, sharing memories and most important to her, she taught me all she could about her forms of crafting. She told me her biggest regret in life was not being able to live closer to my sister and I as we were growing up. So I did my best to be with her as much as I could that entire year. When the cancer finally won she was ready for it.

She had spent the last year of her life with everyone she loved doing things she loved and would not let people treat her as a fragile dying person. I miss her so freaking bad that even a year later I can break down in tears thinking about her, but I thank God I had that time to create such wonderful memories with her before she was gone. So make some good memories with your friend so you don't just look back and see death.

Tell them you how much you care as often as possible and just keep being an awesome friend.

I had a roommate who died at a young age 21, I listened to her more than I talked, I think she appreciated that.