Durham, NC - As part of Grief Awareness Week, Duke Bereavement Services will host its bi-annual employee remembrance service Thursday.

Duke community members are invited to the service, which is from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Duke University Hospital Atrium Cafeteria courtyard, outside the cafeteria. 

"This is something meaningful for staff we try to host every spring and fall," said Joanna Parker, coordinator of Duke's Bereavement Services. "It is important for everyone to take time to carve out time and space to remember the colleagues, and to do this in community."

During the service, Mary Ann Fuchs, vice president of patient care and system chief nurse executive for the Duke University Health System, will read the names of the 16 Duke University and Duke University Health System employees who have died since April. The ceremony will also feature readings, poetry, music and a short prayer.

In addition to the staff memorial service, Bereavement Services is also hosting a series of video presentations and discussions during Grief Awareness Week. These videos will be screened in room 2003 at Duke University Hospital at the following dates and times:

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Visiting With the Deceased - rituals and traditions of the Mexican Day of the Dead. Presentation and discussion led by Jenny Snead Williams, executive director of Duke's Program in Latino/a Studies in the Global South.

Thursday Nov. 15, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

"Carved from the Heart" - a video about a small Alaskan community helping a grieving father carve a totem pole in memory of his son.

Monday, Nov. 19, 2:30 to 4 p.m.

"Compassion Fatigue" - a documentary and discussion about the cost of caring too much about others.

Thursday, Nov. 29, 1 to  2:30. p.m. 

"Flight from Death: the quest for immortality" - an award-winning documentary that investigates humankind's relationship with death.

For more information about these activities, call (919) 684-4750.