What do you say to someone who has lost a child?

This question has been weighing on my mind as of late. I (and many others) have been praying for a miracle for the son of a friend that I graduated with. He experienced complications from a tonsillectomy and has now been declared brain dead. His carotid artery was unknowingly nicked which led to extensive blood loss and other problems.

As a parent, any words of comfort to offer seem cheap. What solace can you give to someone facing the task of burying a child?

I have not come to any satisfactory conclusions. I did think of this song, “Center Aisle” by Caedmon’s Call. It’s about a guy going to the funeral of a friend’s sister. These lines sum up where I’m at right now.

“There aren’t words to say
Words aren’t remembered
But presence is”

All I can do right now is to pray and to just be there in any way I can.