OK, so a young guy of 17 died in a car wreck. Someone wrote in the online condolences "He had a bright future ahead of him."?

When a young person dies it's generally a pretty sad time for family and friends. They are often at a loss for words. So it's not unusual for people to say really stupid things, like he's in a better place, or Jesus called him, or he's with God now, etc. That does nothing for the loved ones other than giving empty assumptions not based on any facts. Saying that he had a bright future is an example of a foolish, however well intentioned lie. If he in fact had a bright future or even a future of any kind, he would be living, not dead. People who lack a good education are often the ones who rely on pious phrases such as he is in a better place because in truth, they have no idea what to say. Sometimes, silence is golden!

a majority of what people say in condolences, cannot be known. saying things like "god took him home" "he's in a better place" "it was his time". there is no way to know any of that. people just say it to comfort themsleves. in fact, out of all of those i think saying he had a bright future is probably the most possible. everyone has a future..if they were to live.. but none of us know that there is an afterlife or better yet god supposedly took him home when he was the one speeding

Of course you don't know what his future would have been. Maybe become a drunken wife beater, maybe a great caring leader. People say that sort of stuff because it's expected and polite

because it's the DECENT thing to say. Why would you pour acid into the wound of a family that lost a child?

You are a douche. I kind of like that word you young people use. It's suitable for you.

ANY future that doesn't include being dead is a very bright

..... which was cruelly snatched away from him. That's the context, even if conveyed via cliche.

Try not to be non-empathic, it's quite an ugly thing.

people have a difficult thinking of things to say at times like this so they put anything they think will comfort the family.

it means he couldve had one if he hadnt gotten into the wreck

Just something people say when a young person dies. its lucky he only killed himself with his selfishness.