I'd also like to include here an old Eskimo saying that was written in a sympathy card that I received from three of my colleagues; it is beautiful and it made me cry. It's a nice way of thinking about the stars.
Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.
Another friend wrote that when her brother died, the priest at the funeral mass said that her brother was now divine. I liked that too.
There is comfort in every word, conversation, phone call, email, card, and hug that all the wonderful people in my life have offered me and us. There is also comfort in nature and in solitude. In the midst of sadness, there is also peace. And there is love.