What to say to in-law when their spouse has passed away


What would one say to their mother/father/brother/sister-in-law when their
spouse has passed away? 「ご愁傷様でございます」「心からお悔やみ申し上げます」, which are the phrases one
typically uses to convey their condolences, feels too distant but I am not
sure there are other options available.




I agree that 「ご愁傷様でございます」「心からお悔やみ申し上げます」 would feel too distant in your
situation. Your mother/father/brother/sister-in-law is basically your 身内, so I
would say (and it seems most people usually say) something like:

「おかあさん/おとうさん/おねえさん/おにいさん、大変でしたね。  
（お体（のほう）は、）大丈夫ですか？  
（気を落とさないでくださいね。）  
何か（お手伝い）できることがあったら、（なんでも）言ってくださいね。」

