How do you write a sympathy letter?

I'm a freaking writer, but when it comes to sentimental stuff, I'm dumbfounded. I don't know the right way to say "I'm sorry you lost someone so dear for you. I don't know the right words that will comfort you, but please know that:

1. you are in my prayers
2. your loved one is in a better place
3. I will miss that loved one of yours, but not as much as you".

And I write for a living, people!

Bless the Internet age we live in. I googled "sympathy note", and found a funeral home website that has tips on how to write one. This is taken from http://www.thefuneraldirectory.com/card_howto.html.

"But what should I say?"

Often we get asked 'What should I say in a sympathy card?'. Following are some simple phrases that may help you (feel free to reword as appropriate these are just meant to get you thinking):

I am so sorry.

I'm praying for you.

I want to help share your burden. Would it be helpful if I were to... (It is important to make a specific offer here because often a person grieving won't be capable of putting a to-do list together for people)

I finally found something to say. This man, his wife, my aunt and I went a couple of times to this Mexican restaurant on Mariachi night. This one Thursday a month Mariachi bands from somewhere in the Midwest would come to play. The man who passed away had a couple of favorite songs he always asked the Mariachis to play. After consulting with my aunt, she said she can't remember, but they most likely were "Volver, volver" and "Malagueña". And I made her cry... she had forgotten.

Well, here's to you, D.G.

Malagueña

Que bonitos ojos tienes
Debajo de esas dos cejas
Debajo de esas dos cejas
Que bonitos ojos tienes

Ellos me quieren mirar
Pero si tú no los dejas
Pero si tú no los dejas
Ni siquiera parpadear

Chorus:
Malagueña salerosa
Besar tus labios quisiera
Besar tus labios quisiera
Y decirte niña hermosa
Que eres linda y hechicera

Si por pobre me desprecias
Yo te concedo razón
Yo te concedo razón
Si por pobre me desprecias
Yo no te ofrezco riquezas
Te ofrezco mi corazón
Te ofrezco mi corazón
A cambio de mi pobreza

Chorus
Malagueña salerosa
Besar tus labios quisiera
Besar tus labios quisiera
Y decirte niña hermosa

Que eres linda y hechicera
Que eres linda y hechicera
Que eres linda y hechicera
Como el candor de una rosa
Y decirte niña hermosa