how to deal with grief?

Shay
Something extremely tragic happened in my boyfriends side of the family related to suicide. I don't want to get into what exactly happened.
I have never lost a family member before so I don't know how to help him cope or what to do/say? I don't know how to make him feel better. The family member is not dead but it was an attempted suicide. He was extremely close to this person.
Any advice? I am so new to this.. thank you..