Appropriate response?

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Today in science class one of my close friends told me her old math teacher died. My friend joined the school in September, so I never met the teacher. However she was quite obviously upset. As in, crying, etc. What's the appropriate response? I generally just said 'I'm sorry. If you want some genuine sympathy or whatever the appropriate response is, talk to one of our other friends after class'. This seemed to be accepted, since she knows me pretty well so far, and that's my stock response when she starts crying. (She cries over lots of things, including every single bad grade she gets in math/science, where we sit at the same table and work on our own.) But, what was I supposed to do? One of my friends decided not to comment and let her alone, another gave her a hug, and she hugged back and started crying again. So I have no clear example of what is acceptable.

When my best friend is upset, I listen if it is on the phone and tell him I would do anything to help him out within my means or if in person, i give him a hug and listen and say the same as I would on the phone.