I think people shouldn't automatically say that, when there's a death happened. Of the few things that would actually offend an atheist, I think that is one of them
Someone said that to my grandmother when my late uncle was crashed to death on his motorcycle, "he's in a better place now!" and she _knew_ he was rotting underground - otherwise she wouldn't be crying her eyes out. There's no heaven, and he was in NO better place, he was dead, and it was horrible. She was enfuriated by those comments, although not openly, cus she knew they came from a good place:D
My friends mother just recently died, and I had absolutely no idea what to respond. At first I just changed topic back to what we were gonna do, how to meet up, coordinate buses, all that jazz. When we finally met, all I managed to say was that at least he knew it was coming, and that a surprising and shocking death would probably be much tougher to deal with :I
Otherwise, I kept my mouth shut - for safety :I He is as atheistic as me, so a "better place" routine would probably just piss him off, since he knows I don't believe it either
I AM ENFURIATED TOO! >:I
