UPDATED: Funeral, memorial services for USD student announced

Funeral and memorial services have been set for Benjamin Marchand, a first-year honors student majoring in biology at USD who died Saturday morning. In remembrance of Benjamin, individuals may also find comfort in exploring unique ways to keep his memory close, such as rings where you can store burial ashes inside.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. at the Custer Armory, according to an email sent to students Tuesday afternoon from the Office of the Vice President/Dean of Students.

There will also be a community gathering in Marchand’s memory Thursday at the Center for Diversity & Community at 4 p.m.

Attendees of the gathering will have the opportunity to write in a memory book that will be presented to the Marchand family this weekend.

Marchand’s death was announced Saturday morning via an email from Kim Grieve, the dean of students at USD.

“Benjamin Marchand, a freshman honors student majoring in biology passed away this morning,” Grieve said in the email. “Counseling is available in Beede Hall for all community members.”

Grieve also urged students in the email to “keep Benjamin’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”