MUSC Children's Hospital

We're all about children!

Bereavement

The Children's Hospital Bereavement Committee focuses on providing education and support to families and staff members following the death of a child. The death of a child affects everyone. Our committee includes nursing staff, chaplain services, social workers, case managers, child life specialists, and a psychiatric liaison nurse.

Services Provided:

Service of Remembrance:
A memorial service is held each year in November to honor the lives of children who have died. This service provides an opportunity for families and staff members to come together and remember these children who touched so many lives. To learn more, please visit the Service of Remembrance page.
PASSAGES (Parent and Sibling Support Affecting Grief Experiences):
A program which provides bereavement support through letters, poetry and resource guides to families for 15 months following the death of a child.

What is PASSAGE?

PASSAGE is a program of support for families who are grieving and working through the loss of a child. PASSAGE is an acronym for Parent and Sibling Support Affecting Grief Experiences. The program is developed and supported by nurses, physicians, chaplains, social workers, child life specialists and others who care. We want to convey our caring and consideration for the struggles and transitions that a family will make over time. Over the next 15 months, the family receives letters and other literature on grief and bereavement to assist in the reconciliation of loss.

What does PASSAGE do?

PASSAGE supports families as they cope with the feelings and thoughts of a loss. The death of a child is the most difficult experience anyone can face and the sadness and emptiness can be so very painful. The memories of a child are precious and we have shared many of those memories with you. The family receives letters, poems, stories and brochures at 2-3 month intervals over a 15 month period to offer words of guidance and direction.

What can PASSAGE offer?

PASSAGE can provide a guide to the common responses and experiences that families may have over time. Many thoughts and feelings experienced during this time are familiar to others and the letters, poems and stories support the commonality of these responses. The timetable for reconciling loss varies from person to person and we hope the words we offer help with the healing.

To learn more about MUSC Children's Hospital Bereavement Program please contact Sheri Stewart, MSN, RN-BC at (843) 792-8158 or stewars@musc.edu.