Recently a friend of my mother lost her son to cancer. The kid

The Buddha could probably say something about Samsara and Jesus could relay messages from the kid to her, thus proving he's doing fine in Heaven.

Buddha wouldn't have to say anything. His mere presence would comfort the grieving mother.

>>9481217

But that violates the rule of the question:

>“and if they could not use any concept of life after death like the Karma and Rebirth of Buddhism, or the Paradise of Christianism”,

>>9481217
>if they could not use any concept of life after death like the Karma and Rebirth of Buddhism, or the Paradise of Christianism, what could they possibly say?
>Samsara and Heaven
you're literally illiterate

>>9481235
>>9481231
I didn't really read the OP post. Still, they were only wise in that they knew about that sort of shit. If you can't talk about that then they're nothing.

>>9481212
Probably not try logic and just hold her and tell her its gonna be alright

The Buddha would (and did, to his monks as he died) tell the mother that death is a necessary part of life, that they are inseparable, and that any emotions she is experiencing are temporary and not worth clinging to, just like her son, who is dead and has now changed into a lifeless corpse that will continue to change to bones and to dust.

The Buddha also knew timing though. He would know what the mother is ready to hear and what she is not ready to hear. Grieving is a natural result of the mother's feelings for her son, it shouldn't be fought against or "fixed" through comforting. She needs a quiet place to reflect on transcience, so the first thing to do would be to get her to meditate.

>>9481391

Buddhism is really hard mind-work

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

>>9481391
>Your emotions are temporary and not worth clinging to
>Just like your son
>Who is dead
>And now has changed into a lifeless corpse that will continue to change to bones and dust

Yep I think this guy solved it for you. In fact, I'd write this down right now and send her the letter.

>>9481448
>timing

Belief in the soul is a belief detached from religion. There is no reason she can't be comforted knowing his form exists out there somewhere, despite his body perishing.

Assuming she is an atheist or something and strictly refuses to believe in an afterlife, I suggest you tell her that her son is just returning to his constituent atoms and energy and that this is what she gets for not believing in Jesus.

Tell her she can always make another one.

>>9481455
The earliest you could say any of that is when she's already over it which defeats the point of saying something to help her get over it.

he lives through your memories or some gay shit like that

Kisa Gotami had an only son, and he died. In her grief she carried the dead child to all her neighbors, asking them for medicine, and the people said: "She has lost her senses. The boy is dead. At length Kisa Gotami met a man who replied to her request: "I cannot give thee medicine for thy child, but I know a physician who can." The girl said: "Pray tell me, sir; who is it?" And the man replied: "Go to Sakyamuni, the Buddha."

Kisa Gotami repaired to the Buddha and cried: "Lord and Master, give me the medicine that will cure my boy." The Buddha answered: "I want a handful of mustard-seed." And when the girl in her joy promised to procure it, the Buddha added: "The mustard-seed must be taken from a house where no one has lost a child, husband, parent, or friend." Poor Kisa Gotami now went from house to house, and the people pitied her and said: "Here is mustard-seed; take it!" But when she asked Did a son or daughter, a father or mother, die in your family?" They answered her: "Alas the living are few, but the dead are many. Do not remind us of our deepest grief." And there was no house but some beloved one had died in it.

Kisa Gotami became weary and hopeless, and sat down at the wayside, watching the lights of the city, as they flickered up and were extinguished again. At last the darkness of the night reigned everywhere. And she considered the fate of men, that their lives flicker up and are extinguished. And she thought to herself: "How selfish am I in my grief! Death is common to all; yet in this valley of desolation there is a path that leads him to immortality who has surrendered all selfishness."

Putting away the selfishness of her affection for her child, Kisa Gotami had the dead body buried in the forest. Returning to the Buddha, she took refuge in him and found comfort in the Dharma, which is a balm that will soothe all the pains of our troubled hearts.

>>9481515
The Buddha said: "The life of mortals in this world is troubled and brief and combined with pain. For there is not any means by which those that have been born can avoid dying; after reaching old age there is death; of such a nature are living beings. As ripe fruits are early in danger of falling, so mortals when born are always in danger of death. As all earthen vessels made by the potter end in being broken, so is the life of mortals. Both young and adult, both those who are fools and those who are wise, all fall into the power of death; all are subject to death.

"Of those who, overcome by death, depart from life, a father cannot save his son, nor kinsmen their relations. Mark I while relatives are looking on and lamenting deeply, one by one mortals are carried off, like an ox that is led to the slaughter. So the world is afflicted with death and decay, therefore the wise do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world. In whatever manner people think a thing will come to pass, it is often different when it happens, and great is the disappointment; see, such are the terms of the world.

"Not from weeping nor from grieving will any one obtain peace of mind; on the contrary, his pain will be the greater and his body will suffer. He will make himself sick and pale, yet the dead are not saved by his lamentation. People pass away, and their fate after death will be according to their deeds. If a man live a hundred years, or even more, he will at last be separated from the company of his relatives, and leave the life of this world. He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation, and complaint, and grief. He who has drawn out the arrow and has become composed will obtain peace of mind; he who has overcome all sorrow will become free from sorrow, and be blessed."

(there's a brief mention of reincarnation but it isn't really used to provide comfort)

>>9481474
>Belief in the soul is a belief detached from religion.
This. OP's question seems flawed to me. Why they can't use any concept of life after death? Imagine that life after death actually exists and gives value to the human life. Christ and Buddha would be obligated to lie in order to comfort her, which is not wise.
OP's question makes no sense if you don't have reasons to think that life after death does NOT exist.