Yes, preparing tea, coffee or another comforting beverage or something to eat, depending on the individual's preference and the available beverages or foods, combined with a "ready ear", is widespread and can help much, if a friend, family member, or a stranger having received bad news is seeking comfort. I would try to find out about what an unexpected guest would like to drink or eat, as with friends and family, I knew and know about their preferences.
Hospitality is widely practiced, often more or less ritualised, and also showing sympathy toward people in hardship and offering help is part of social relations, although ways, traditions and methods can vary much from one culture or region to the other:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospitality
http://www.wikihow.com/Comfort-Someone-Who-Is-Sad
https://tinybuddha.com/blog/good-friend-someone-depressed/