Bereavement services win gold award

The council's Bereavement Services has won gold status from the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management for both burial and cremation services.

It is the third year in a row that Sandwell has won the gold award for the services provided at crematoria and cemeteries, after being the first council in the Midlands to gain gold status in 2010.

The institute assessed the council on all areas of burial and cremation services, as well as the social and environmental aspects of the services staff provide.

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for service improvement Cllr Mahboob Hussain said he was delighted by the award.

"The staff who work in our cemeteries and crematoria are very dedicated to what they do and this award is recognition for their hard work," he added.

"Sandwell Valley Crematorium has already won a Green Flag this year and it's great to see the service provided by the staff to be recognised in this way as well.

"Our services will be further improved by the refurbishment of Rowley Regis crematorium, which we hope will begin later this year."

Rowley Regis Crematorium will be refurbished over the coming year in a £1.36million facelift.

The work will create a larger chapel with more space for mourners, a new waiting room, better parking facilities and a covered area for families to view floral tributes.