About The Ari Foss Foundation
Why We Exist
Providing dignified support during pregnancy and infant loss
Pregnancy and infant loss affects more families than many people realize, yet it is often experienced quietly and without preparation. In moments of profound grief, families are suddenly faced with urgent decisions and unexpected expenses, all while navigating emotional shock and loss.
Pregnancy and infant loss affects more families than many people realize, yet it is often experienced quietly and without preparation. In moments of profound grief, families are suddenly faced with urgent decisions and unexpected expenses, all while navigating emotional shock and loss.
Helping Families When the unthinkable happens
Our Mission
The Ari Foss Foundation was created to help families overcome the financial stress created by losing a child through a stillborn death or neonatal demise.
We strive to accomplish this mission in two ways:
Programs
How We Serve Families
The Ari Foss Foundation supports families navigating pregnancy and infant loss by providing both immediate financial relief and thoughtful guidance during an overwhelming time. Our approach is designed to reduce stress, preserve dignity, and ensure families are not left to navigate difficult decisions alone.
Through our Cremation and Funeral Financial Assistance Program, we help cover the cost of final arrangements by working directly with service providers. By paying vendors on behalf of families, we remove the pressure of upfront expenses and allow families to focus on honoring their child and caring for themselves during a time of grief.
In addition to financial support, we offer education and resources to help families understand their options and plan with clarity. We work closely with hospital partners and community organizations to ensure families are connected to compassionate, reliable support when they need it most.
Our services are rooted in empathy, respect, and responsiveness — meeting families where they are and providing support that is both practical and human.
The Ari Foss Foundation also prioritizes strong partnerships with healthcare providers, palliative care teams, and community organizations. These relationships allow us to respond quickly when referrals are made and ensure families are connected to trusted resources throughout their journey.
As our organization continues to grow, we remain committed to expanding access to these services across South Carolina. Every step forward is guided by the families we serve and our promise to provide dignified, dependable support when it is needed most.
The Ari Foss Story
The Ari Foss Foundation was created in honor of Ari Foss Silverman, the beloved first child of Laura and Aaron Silverman. What began as joyful anticipation quickly turned to unimaginable loss when Ari was unexpectedly stillborn just moments before birth. In the midst of overwhelming grief, the Silvermans were faced not only with emotional devastation but also the unexpected financial burden of planning their son’s funeral.
Through the support of family and friends, they were able to focus on healing—and it was from that support that the idea for the Ari Foss Foundation was born. Today, the Foundation exists to help other families facing similar tragedies by easing the financial stress of cremation and funeral costs, so they can focus on honoring their child and beginning to heal.
A Letter from Ari’s Mother
Ari Foss was our first child. Ari was our beautiful baby boy. Ari was a perfectly healthy baby. I was 39 weeks 5 days pregnant when my water broke. We were so excited to meet our little man. I was in labor about 8 hours when we were told I would need a routine C Section. As I was being wheeled into surgery I remember one of the medical staff saying to us “The good news is your son will be here in about 20 minutes.”
Ari Foss Silverman was born on July 30, 2014 at 10:06 pm. Ari never cried though. Ari never took a breath. Ari had no heartbeat. Our son was gone.
“What happened to our son?” “What went wrong?” “How could this be happening to us?” “Why, why, why, why”.
We were devastated and attempting to grasp what happened. In an instant, we went from what should have been the happiest moment of our lives to experiencing the worst, most tragic moment of our lives. We were overwhelmed with grief and sadness.
At some point during the next few hours, my husband, Aaron, mentioned we had to plan Ari’s funeral.
On top of the emotional stress of grieving for our infant son and my physical stress from labor and a C Section, we were then hit with another stress – the financial stress of paying for an unexpected funeral. We should have been planning on how to bring him home not how to bury him. Aaron took the reins of planning the funeral, so I could focus on healing from surgery.
He started doing the research and calling local funeral homes and cemeteries to gather information. My husband and I had to have the unpleasant conversation of where our finances were and what that meant for what kind of funeral and burial we could afford for our infant son.
Aaron told me not to worry about the money and that it was not important at this time. Due to everything that had happened, the financial stress compounded the already unfathomable grieving process and vice versus. Although he did not admit it at the time, the financial concern weighed heavily on him as well.
He made the calls and then we made the plans. Although we tried to stay middle of the road in the funeral planning, the costs mounted QUICKLY.
Fortunately, through family and friends, a lot of our financial stress was alleviated. My mother-in-law and one of my best friends stepped in and raised money to help pay the unexpected funeral expenses, so we could concentrate on grieving for our son Ari and the physical stress of my recovery.
From the generosity of our family and friends, the idea for the Ari Foss Foundation was born.
Laura Silverman
Ari’s Forever Loving Mother
Our Values & Approach
Compassion First
We approach every family with empathy, respect, and care, recognizing the deeply personal nature of loss.
Dignity in Every Detail
Our support is designed to preserve dignity by reducing financial stress and honoring each family’s experience.
Trauma-Aware Care
We are intentional with language, process, and communication to ensure families feel supported, not overwhelmed.
Direct, Transparent Support
Financial assistance is provided by paying vendors directly, ensuring clarity, accountability, and timely relief.
Community & Collaboration
We work alongside healthcare systems, community partners, and supporters to strengthen the network of care available to families.
Trust & Integrity
We are committed to ethical stewardship, transparency, and responsible growth so donors and partners can give with confidence.
Our Impact
Providing tangible support when families need it most.
Providing tangible support when families need it most.
As of December 31, 2025, the Ari Foss Foundation has provided direct support to 51 families across South Carolina, helping ease the financial burden that often follows pregnancy and infant loss. Through our programs, we have assisted with 30 cremations and 21 funerals, ensuring families can honor their children with dignity and care.
Each number represents a family navigating an unthinkable moment — and timely support that allowed them to focus on healing rather than financial stress. As referrals and partnerships continue to grow, so does our commitment to expanding access to compassionate, dependable support for families throughout the state.
39
Families helped in 2025
51
total families helped
(as of Dec. 31st, 2025)
30
Cremations
(as of Dec. 31st, 2025)
21
Funerals
(as of Dec. 31st, 2025)
Community Partners
The Ari Foss Foundation works in close collaboration with healthcare providers, community organizations, and local partners to ensure families receive timely, compassionate support during pregnancy and infant loss. Our work is grounded in strong, trusted relationships that allow us to respond quickly and effectively when families are most in need.
We are proud to maintain established referral partnerships with MUSC and Roper St. Francis Healthcare, working alongside palliative care teams, social workers, and hospital staff who connect families to our services at critical moments. These partnerships help ensure families are supported with dignity, clarity, and care from the very beginning.
As our organization continues to grow, we remain focused on expanding these partnerships across South Carolina. By working together with trusted institutions and community leaders, we can increase access to resources, raise awareness, and ensure no family navigates loss without support.
Our Executive Team
The Faces behind the mission.
Aaron Silverman
Ari’s Dad
Founder, Executive Director & Board Member
Laura Silverman
Ari’s Mom
Co-Founder and Board Member
Valerie Singley
Ari’s Grandmother
Board Member and Grant Writer
Dr. Chris Goodier
Doctor Advisor and Board Member
Maggie Sears
Marketing and Fundraising Director
Stay Connected
Join our community by signing up for the Ari Foss Foundation newsletter. You’ll receive thoughtful updates on our impact, upcoming events, and ways to stay engaged with our mission — delivered with care and intention.