Grief and Healing in NC
Grief and Healing
Grief is an emotional response to loss and encompasses a range of feelings from sadness and despair to anger and confusion. While there are common elements of grief, every person grieves in their own unique way and at their own pace. Grief can impact your whole being: physically, cognitively, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. The Center for Grief and Healing at Carolina Caring understands the complexities of loss and is here to support you on your path to healing.
Download our Caregiver eBook
Download our Caregiver eBook to confidently navigate the emotional and practical aspects of hospice caregiving.
E-Book Download


Counseling Services
Grief counseling and supportive resources are offered at no cost to families of hospice patients for up to 13 months following a death. Grief services are also available to anyone in the community who has experienced loss.

Support Groups and Events
Grief support groups provide a safe, accepting space for individuals to share their experiences with others navigating similar losses. All of our support groups are free and open to Carolina Caring clients and those in the community who have experienced loss.

Brighter Days for Children
Our Brighter Days program offers grief support for children and teens who have experienced the death of someone significant in their lives. Our team works with the children individually, and in groups, with grief workshops offered throughout the year. One of the highlights of the program is the Brighter Days Grief Camps offered during the summer months. The camps promote healing through conversation, memory-making activities, and camaraderie while providing healthy ways to process and express their grief.
What Our Patients Say
“The Carolina Caring team was amazing, thoughtful and kind. In the moments of fear, sadness and confusion, they educated my family and provided comfort to not only our grandmother but to all of us.”
Ashley
Granddaughter of Carolina Caring Patient
“I cannot express how wonderful all staff have been during my mom’s final 5 months at home and then in the nursing home in Gastonia. They surely made mom’s last months comfortable. A wonderful team of true professionals!”
Ronald
Son of Carolina Caring Patient
“My mother has been in their care for almost a year and my father before that. Every single person I have met was exceptional and almost empathic. Anticipating my needs , answering questions, and gently caring for the whole family.”
Michael
Son of Carolina Caring Patient
“The staff is very proficient, caring, and understanding of anything that may be happening. They keep your loved one comfortable and they check on your loved one once an hour unless you need anything in between checks.”
Elizabeth
Daughter of Carolina Caring Patient
“Every single employee was professional and comforting. My Dad and our immediate family were cared for with respect through a difficult time. Didn’t feel like a clinical place. Felt like a place of compassion.”
Tim
Son of Carolina Caring Patient
Our Community
We are proud to bring equitable end-of-life care to communities across western North Carolina.

Why Choose Carolina Caring?
Since 1979, we have walked patients and their families through some of life’s toughest moments. At Carolina Caring, we are committed to helping families as they navigate their grief, ensuring they receive the compassionate support and guidance they need during times of loss.
Gold Seal of Approval
After meticulous reviews and evaluations, we are proud to have received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for home care quality and safety.
Award-Winning Care
Our dedication to patients and their families earned us the Hospice CAHPS Honors Award. This honor is reserved for the country’s highest-performing hospice providers.
Send A Message
Grief and Healing
If you are a current patient or caregiver with Carolina Caring and need to speak to someone about your care, please call our main line at 828.466.0466. For all other inquires please complete this contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What support does Carolina Caring offer grieving individuals and families?
Carolina Caring provides a range of support services, including one-on-one grief counseling, support groups, grief workshops, educational resources.
Are Carolina Caring's grief workshops open to everyone?
Yes, grief support groups and grief workshops are open to both clients and community members who have experienced loss.
How long are counseling services available at Carolina Caring after a loss?
Grief counseling services are available for 13 months for families of hospice patients following the loss.
Who can attend Brighter Days Camp?
This camp is for children ages five to 16 who have experienced the death of someone significant in their lives.
Register Here
Upcoming Events
All support groups are free and open to Carolina Caring clients as well as those in the community who have experienced loss.
At this time, most support groups require registration. Instructions for participating in virtual meetings will be provided.
Please register here or contact our staff at 828.466.0466 ext. 3201 or email wspurling@carolinacaring.org .
Service of Remembrance and Blessing
This annual event is a time to remember your loved ones and to give thanks for the blessing they were to those who loved them. The in-person option will be held at Corinth Reformed Church – 150 16th Ave NW in Hickory. There will also be a virtual option available. Registration is needed by September 19th.
September 28th at 2p:
Corinth Reformed Church – 150 16th Ave NW, Hickory, NC
Carolina Caring’s Comfort Circle
Join us in a gentle space where yarn and memory intertwine. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, this group offers a calming way to honor your grief through knitting and crocheting or a craft of your choice. As our hands create, our hearts find quiet companionship, reflection and healing.
Meets Thursdays, September 4, 18 and October 2, 16 from 3p-4:30p:
Registration is not required
Carolina Caring – 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658 – Building 2
Grief 101
Tear Soup is a story centered around an old and somewhat wise woman, Grandy. She has suffered a big loss in her life and so Grandy heads to the kitchen to make a special batch of Tear Soup. It is a compassionate story that validates the grieving process and its impact on you- physically, emotionally, cognitively, spiritually and socially. Learn how Tear Soup is a recipe for healing a loss.
Sunday, September 7th from 2p to 3:30p:
No Registration required.
First United Methodist church – 5481 Hickory Grove Rd. Stanley, NC 28614
Loss of Spouse or Significant Other
Carolina Caring is offering a 4-week support group for anyone who is grieving the loss of a spouse or companion.
Meets Mondays, September 29th and October 6, 13, and 20 from 5:30p to 7p:
Please Register by September 24th.
Carolina Caring – 7473 Sherrills Ford Road, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
Loss of Spouse or Significant Other
Carolina Caring is offering a 4-week support group for anyone who is grieving the loss of a spouse or a companion.
Meets Tuesdays, October 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 3p to 4:30p:
Please Register by September 30th.
Rufty-Holmes Senior Center – 1120 S. MLK Jr. Avenue, Salisbury, NC
Disenfranchised Grief Group
This virtual support group provides a compassionate space for individuals experiencing disenfranchised grief- grief that isn’t always acknowledged, validated, or supported by society. This group offers connection and understanding from others walking similar paths. This group will offer guided discussions, opportunities to share your stories, and ways to cope with this type of grief.
Meets Thursdays, October 2, 9, 16, and 23 from 4:00p to 5:00p:
Please Register by September 29th.
Nurturing Yourself
Join in learning about the 5 aspects of yourself that grief most commonly affects: mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, and social. Experience and cultivate ideas for nurturing these aspects of yourself as you grieve.
Meets October 7th from 3:00p to 4:30p:
Please Register by September 30th.
Carolina Caring – 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658
Game Night
Bring your favorite game or cards for an evening of fun and pizza with others who are on a path of healing.
Meets October 17th at 5p:
Please Register by October 15th.
Felting Class
Felting projects involve transforming loose fibers, typically wool, into a dense fabric or object. Like natural wool, our feelings in grief can be tangled, but with time and care, we can shape them in our healing. Felting takes a material and turns it into something soft, just as grief softens with time and makes us stronger. We will meet outdoors in the fall, which reminds us that even when things change, there is beauty in the changes.
Meets October 16th from 1p to 3p:
Keystone Overlook – 3975 Robinson Road, Newton NC 28658.
Carolina Caring Reviews
Recent Blog Articles
- Events
This is an informative session designed to help individuals, families, and caregivers understand the legal tools...
- Blog
Caring for a friend or family member with an illness is an extraordinary act of love,...
- Blog
Nothing is more heartbreaking than explaining to your child that their illness may not get better...