5 Important concepts about grief support groups

When someone close to us passes away, our natural reaction is to grieve, but what form that grief takes is as varied as we are. There is no one way to grieve, but there are multiple ways to grieve healthily.

Stuhr Funeral Home, with locations throughout the Lowcountry, has been supporting those in mourning for a century and a half. Because Stuhr understands the impact grief can have on people’s lives, it offers its Journey of Hope program, designed to support individuals through their grief journey.

Here are five things to know about grief, grieving and Stuhr’s support groups:

1. Everyone’s grief journey is different

After a loved one has passed on, some people want to talk about it to everyone. Others don’t want to talk about it at all. Some people seek others who have a similar experience while others prefer to get as far from the experience as possible. Some find night is the worst time for them, others the morning, and so on.

2. Adjusting to the new normal can be difficult

For many, adjusting to a new life without a spouse, parent or any loved one is jarring. Sharing with others experiencing similar feelings helps them discover they are not alone.

3. Sharing can help ease the pain

For those who feel the need to share their feelings and hear from others in similar circumstances, Stuhr offers free support group sessions with a clinically trained facilitator. These sessions are open to anyone, even those who just want to listen, absorb and reflect. The next eight-week sessions meet at various times through February and March for 90 minutes at a time at the Mount Pleasant and West Ashley chapels. Each session focuses on a single aspect of grief, including: Misconceptions about Grief, Recognize You’re Not Crazy, Grieving Bill of Rights, Self-Care, 6 Steps of Grief, Setting Boundaries.

4. Participants don’t want it to end

Participants in Stuhr’s Journey of Hope program don’t want the support sessions to end, says Ginger Selby, Journey of Hope organizer for Stuhr Funeral Home. “They form social groups, meet for lunch and continue to share feelings,” she says.

5. Find out if it’s right for you

Stuhr encourages individuals who express interest in the support group to come to the first meeting and determine if it meets their needs. Because everyone’s journey is different, support groups are just what some people need, but not right for others. Not everyone is ready for a group; others need a different support system. Stuhr is happy to make referrals to counselors.

“People look to us for guidance, so we offer this free program as a community resource,” says Selby. To learn more or sign up, visit JHenryStuhr.com/Grief-Support/ or call (843) 723-2524.

Stuhr Funeral Home, a trusted name in funeral service for more than 150 years, cares for families of those whose lives have ended. Stuhr Funeral Home is committed to providing quality arrangements to honor loved ones and family traditions. For more information about funeral services available, visit JHenryStuhr.com or call (843) 723-2524.