Bereavement & Grief Resources

At some point each of us will be touched by the death of someone we care about. Whether they are very close to us, or just a casual acquaintance; whether they die suddenly and unexpectedly, or gradually from a lengthy illness, the emotional storm that follows can sometimes be difficult to face.

The Pastoral Care staff of MUSC Health realizes that people deal with death in a variety of ways. While there are certain commonalities, each one’s grief is an individual experience. There is no formula for either how or how long one grieves. And sometimes, when we feel we are making great progress in the healing process, we can suddenly find ourselves seemingly at square one, as if it has all just occurred.

We have compiled the following list of resources to help those who have lost a loved one, or perhaps are facing potential loss. You may find help and the answers to your questions simply by reading from these materials, or you may wish to get involved in a support group. We encourage you to explore these websites and resources at your leisure.

Your pain is real, but there is hope.

"It is not length of life, but depth of life." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Devotional Articles

Devotional articles written by the MUSC Chaplain Staff (PDF file, opens in a new window)

Grief Support Groups for Adults

Survivors of Homicide Support Group – Meets second and fourth Thursday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on the first and third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. in West Ashley, North Charleston, and downtown Charleston.

Call for location: Charleston County Sheriff’s Office - Easter LaRoche at 843-745-2250; MUSC National Crime Victims Center – Alyssa Rheingold at 843-792-8209.

Families of Highway Fatalities – Peer support and periodic programs. Sherri Iacobelli at 803-896-7920. Sponsored by SC Department of Public Safety.

Grief Support Groups for Parents

Tender Memories Perinatal Loss Support Group – The Tender Memories Perinatal Loss Support Group helps men and women deal with grief and depression they feel after losing a pregnancy. This free group, led by obstetric nurses trained in pregnancy bereavement issues, meets the second and fourth Monday of each month, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Prenatal Wellness Center, 135 Cannon Street, Suite 202, in Charleston, SC. Please call 843-792-6395 for more information.

Missing Grace Foundation – Pre-natal and neo-natal loss foundation. Visit their website.

Grief Support Groups for Children & Adolescents

Shannon’s Hope – Weekend camp for ages 6 to 15 in Tri-county area. Spring and fall sessions at Camp St. Christopher on Seabrook Island. Call Bridges for End-of-Life for information at 843-216-7323.

Camp Happy Days – Special events for children living with cancer and survivors (siblings and parents). Week-long annual camp at Camp Bob Cooper in Manning, SC. Call 843-571-4336.

MUSC Children’s Hospital support groups

Suicide Prevention & Suicide Resources

Help Lines

1-800-273-8255 – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-784-2433

Survivors of Suicide Support Group

Meets the first and third Wednesdays of every month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Heartland of West Ashley, a short term rehab facility at 1137 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.
Support Group Contact: Charlotte Anderson, 843-693-1343.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Road to Healing website