Do you tailor your condolences to the beliefs of the person you're giving them to?

One of my good friends* just lost his mother. His atheism is well known, but when he posted the news on Facebook he got several “in my prayers” comments and one “you’ll be reunited in the hereafter”. All very well intended, of course. I just thought it must be kind of weird for him to hear (read) those comments from people who know he’s an atheist.

Just to be clear, he’s very publicly atheist. In fact, in the days leading up to her death, he posted something like “I envy those of you who have religion”.

So, how do you handle this? Either as the giver or the receiver of condolences?

*He’s a good friend to a lot of us… it’s AstroChuck. :(