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Life can throw some mean curveballs.
By Alexis George — Written on Sep 18, 2021
While we come to understand from an early age that death is just a part of life, it doesn’t make losing a loved one any less painful, especially when someone dies unexpectedly.
Death is hard, and it's even harder when it comes out of nowhere.
You may have no idea what to say when someone dies suddenly.
When we receive the news, we pray that it is just a bad dream we can wake up from. There are often no words to describe the amount of pain we’re in, and there are not enough hugs in the world to comfort us.
It is normal during this time for people to wish for just one more moment with their loved one. One more moment to tell them how much they love and appreciate them before they are gone.
But we must come to accept that this is not possible and focus on the bright side of things, pausing to remember and appreciate how much we gained just by knowing and having loved that person.
When you find yourself struggling to breathe, when you feel like all hope is lost, when you think it will never get any better, remember that this, too, shall pass.
Here are the 25 best quotes to turn to when someone dies unexpectedly.
1. "Grief is like the ocean; it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim." — Vicki Harrison
Accept that you cannot control grief.
2. "Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day... unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear."
They will always be with you.
3. "And I will see you someday again in the clouds."
Find comfort knowing that in the end you will be reunited.
4. "Crying is a way your eyes speak when your mouth can't explain how broken your heart is."
Don't fight back the tears.
5. "Words seem so feeble in moments like these. Life is so precious, and death such a thief. The depth of your pain I cannot comprehend, but I'll stand alongside you in the darkness, my friend. Love is a bond that death cannot part. Gone from your arms, but still held in your heart." — John Mark Green
You are not alone. Lean on your friends for strength.
6. "You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
You are stronger than the pain you feel.
7. "Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything." — C.S. Lewis
Your loved one is all around.
8. "They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies." — William Penn
Love never dies.
9. "Life hurts a lot more than death."
They are at peace now.
10. "Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I'll miss you until we meet again."
This is not the end.
11. "Someday, everything will make perfect sense. So for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears, and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason."
God doesn't make any mistakes.
12. "Sometimes when things are falling apart they may actually be falling into place."
Everything happens for a reason.
13. "It is both a blessing and a curse to feel everything so deeply."
Allow yourself to grieve.
14. "It takes strength to make your way through grief, to grab hold of life and let it pull you forward."— Patti Davis
Your loved one would want to see you rise up.
15. "Look for something positive in every day, even if some days you have to look a little harder."
There is light, even in the darkness.
16. "Healing doesn't mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives."
The pain becomes easier to bear with time.
17. "Always remember. God will never take anything away from you without the intention of replacing it with something much better."
Your life will be changed, but not for the worst.
18. "Be grateful every second of every day that you get to spend with the people you love. Life is so very precious." — Mandy Hale
Cherish the time you spent together.
19. "Sometimes the best thing you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. Just breathe and have faith that everything will work out for the best."
Don't bring yourself more heartache thinking about the "why."
20. "An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior." — Viktor E. Frankl
There is no wrong way to respond to unexpectedly losing someone you love.
21. "Life is tough, my darling, but so are you." — Stephanie Bennett-Henry
This too shall pass.
22. "Never regret a day in your life: good days give happiness, bad days give experience, worst days give lessons, and best days give memories."
Every moment, good or bad, helps shape who we are.
23. "Sometimes you have to die a little inside in order to be reborn and rise again as a stronger and wiser version of you."
Even our worst days can inspire growth.
24. "Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." — Dr. Seuss
Your memories of them will only grow stronger.
25. "Never Forgotten. You'll never be forgotten that simply cannot be. As long as I am living, I'll carry you with me. Safely tucked within my heart your light will always shine; a glowing ember never stilled, throughout the end of time. No matter what the future brings, or what may lie ahead, I know that you will walk with me along the path I tread. So rest my angel, be at peace and let your soul fly free. One day I'll join your glorious flight for all eternity."
They might be physically gone, but they will live on through you.
When someone dies unexpectedly, there are some do's and dont's when trying to comfort someone.
If you have a grieving friend or loved one and you're wondering what you should or shouldn't do or say after a sudden death, you might feel a little uncomfortable, especially if you've never been in such a situation before, but the best thing to do is talk to those in grief. They want to know they are not alone and sitting down to chat with them helps greatly.
Maybe share your favorite memory of the deceased loved one. If you're far away give them a phone call to let them know they are in your thoughts and prayers.
Avoid making it about you with phrases like, "I know how you feel" or "you must be feeling..."
People in grief may react in any of several different ways. If they shut down, they shut down. If they run away from it, they run away from it. But if they want or need to talk about it, be the person who will simply sit there and listen.
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Alexis George is a writer who covers love, relationship advice, astrology and personality topics.