Care for the Grieving
Our mission is to facilitate and support healthy grieving for patients, families, and significant others before, during, and after death, and to educate and support the staff who provide their care.
We provide a clearinghouse for information, resources, and support regarding grief, loss, dying, and death. Support is available in a variety of ways for patients, families, and staff through the services listed below. Contact us at bereavement@mc.duke.edu.
Tree Dedication
On Nov. 20, 2020, a sycamore tree was planted in honor of loved ones, their families, and health system employees affected by the pandemic. The tree is on the lawn in front of the Duke Medicine Pavilion.
The way we deal with loss shapes our capacity to be present to life more than anything else. The way we protect ourselves from loss may be the way in which we distance ourselves from life. We burn out not because we don't care but because we don't grieve.
Rachel Naomi, Remen Kitchen Table Wisdom
2025 Service of Remembrance
Attendees at the service decorated a tree with leaves inscribed with the names of their loved ones
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Attendees at the service came to the front and shared a few words before presenting their inscribed leaf
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We were honored to have Dr. Kristin Meade share some remarks with us about grief at our service
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Service of Remembrance
Sunday, May 18, 2025 ― 11:30 am ― Karsh Alumni and Visitors Center
This annual observance is for anyone who wishes to remember and celebrate loved ones cared for at Duke University Hospital. The service features music, poetry, and a time for individual commemoration. To register, call 919-684-4750 or email Arthur.hendricks@duke.edu.
Staff Memorial Service
Conducted in the Fall - Duke Chapel
The Staff Memorial Service is a time for community, prayer, reflection, music, grief, hope, and space to remember Duke employees who have died. This memorial event is typically conducted in the fall at Duke Chapel on Duke University's campus. Call 919-684-4750 for more information.
Grief Awareness Week
November 17-21, 2025
Grief Awareness Week increases awareness of issues about grief and loss in the workplace, promotes strategies for healthy grieving, and encourages staff self-care. Events and activities during the week include a staff memorial service and other events designed to normalize grief.
Grief Counseling, Support, and Resources
Consultation
Staff is available to support and connect persons to resources pertaining to loss and grief. Call 919-668-0923 for assistance. Duke Homecare & Hospice Bereavement Services
Bereavement Advisory Council
The Bereavement Advisory Council (BAC) is a multidisciplinary group that collaborates with Bereavement Services to support patients, families, and staff around issues of grief, loss, death, and dying.
Council activities include the annual Service of Remembrance, Grief Awareness Week, and other initiatives that provide meaningful resources and experiences around grief and loss.
New members will serve a two-year term beginning January 2026. The council meets monthly, and applicants should have approval from their supervisor before applying.
Applications are due by November 21, 2025.
If interested, please follow this link to fill out an application.
With any additional questions, please contact Ellie Bautista at elizabeth.bautista@duke.edu
Pediatric Day of Remembrance
This is an annual event. Contact pedsdayofremembrance@duke.edu for more information.
Grief Symposium
November 2025 - Specific Date TBD
Come join speakers and our community to discuss grief and the grieving process through our annual Grief Symposium hosted here in Duke University Hospital.
Grief Materials
Grief is a natural reaction to loss. The following grief materials can help you understand the grief process, and support your journey towards healing.
Adult
- Dementia: Issues of Loss and Grief - English (PDF, 57 KB) / Spanish (PDF, 57 KB)
- Helping Yourself After a Loss - English (PDF, 96 KB) / Spanish (PDF, 68 KB)
- Understanding Grief and Mourning - English (PDF, 89 KB) / Spanish (PDF, 99 KB)
Child
- Suggestions and Guidelines for Children and Youth that are Grieving (PDF, 1.3 MB)
- Helping Yourself After the Loss of a Child - English (PDF, 82 KB) / Spanish (PDF, 75 KB)
- How Family and Friends Can Help - English (PDF, 54 KB) / Spanish (PDF, 38 KB)
- A Father's Grief (PDF, 88 KB)
- Healing Together - As A Couple (PDF, 81 KB)
- Understanding Grief and Mourning (PDF, 89 KB)
Baby
- A Father's Grief - English (PDF, 87 KB) / Spanish (PDF, 110 KB)
- Healing Together as a Couple - English (PDF, 27 KB) / Spanish (PDF, 27 KB)
- Helping Yourself After the Loss of a Baby - English (PDF, 84 KB) / Spanish (PDF, 34 KB)
- How Family and Friends Can Help - English (PDF, 55 KB) / Spanish (PDF, 25 KB)
- Understanding Grief and Mourning - English (PDF, 89KB) / Spanish (PDF, 27 KB)
Traumatic Loss
- Coping After a Traumatic Death - English (PDF, 67 KB) / Spanish (PDF, 76 KB)
- Coping After a Suicide - English (PDF, 66 KB) / Spanish (PDF, 72 KB)
- Coping After a Homicide (PDF, 86 KB)
Additional Grief-related information
- Mourner's Bill of Rights (PDF, 38 KB)
- How Can I Support Someone Who Is Grieving? (PDF, 43 KB)
- Adapting to Loss (PDF, 62 KB)
- Children's Grief (PDF, 127 KB)
- It Won't Be the Same This Year (PDF, 39 KB)
- Vision Loss and Grief (PDF, 104 KB)
- Grief Bibliography (PDF, 166 KB)
- Cultural Competence at End of Life (PDF, 270 KB)