Compassionate Communities
Losing someone close to you can be overwhelming, and everyone experiences grief in their own way. At this difficult time, it’s important to know that you are not alone. This page brings together information about the support available to you, both locally and nationally, as well as practical guidance to help you manage what needs to be done after a bereavement. Whether you need someone to talk to, or advice on coping with loss, we are here to help you find the support that feels right for you.
On this page
What support is available?
If you are struggling with a bereavement, or are supporting somebody else, there’s lots of services that are here to help you.
Bereavement Services at Sandwell Valley Crematorium
The Bereavement Administration Team are based at Sandwell Valley Crematorium and can help and advise you after a loss.
Sandwell Talking Therapies is a free and confidential service for individuals 16 and older registered with a local GP. They provide professional support for mental health challenges like anxiety, stress, and depression.
Support to cope with the loss of a pet, either through death, enforced separation or theft.
Call: 0800 096 6606
Email: plsmail@bluecross.org.uk
Live chat is also available: Monday – Sunday, 8.30am-8.30pm
Get advice about supporting children through bereavement
The Childhood Bereavement Network (CBN) is a specialist membership organisation, working together to support bereaved children and young people.
Cruse Bereavement Care in Sandwell
Cruse are here to help you no matter how long you’ve been grieving.
Dorothy Parkes Centre- Loss Matters
Loss Matters is a free 6 week support programme for members of our local community who have had experience of grief, bereavement, and loss. The essence of the programme is to allow people to explore the taboo of loss. It is an initiative which is community led, delivered with compassion, and understanding.
Edward’s Trust is a West Midlands bereavement charity providing support for bereaved children and young people aged between 4-24 and parents bereaved of their child, whatever the age or circumstance.
Grief Encounter helps bereaved children, young people and their families find hope and healing through a range of services and resources.
Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Support for young people. They offer
support and advice solely online to children and young people who have lost loved ones.
Kaleidoscope Plus Bereavement Group
Their bereavement group is dedicated to providing a compassionate and supportive environment for those who are grieving.
For more information about their bereavement services or to book your place, please contact the team.
This service is for adults aged 18 or above, who are grieving after someone has died from a terminal illness.
Murray Hall- Compassionate Conversation
Join their warm and welcoming bereavement support group.
Call: 0121 612 2939
Date: Third Friday of each month from 10am – 12pm.
Address: Murray Hall Community Trust, The Bridge Community Centre, St Marks Road, Tipton, DY4 0SL
Grief support and practical & legal administration
support after someone has died.
Rethink Mental Illness- Black Country Support After Suicide
One to one bereavement support, counselling and peer support groups for those bereaved by suicide.
Call: 0800 008 6516
Email: blackcountrysupport aftersuicide@rethink.org
They provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or have suicidal thoughts. This is for any age.
Samaritans also runs Facing the Future, which is free online peer support groups for people bereaved by suicide.
Sands is here to save babies’ lives and support anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby.
The Silver Line Helpline run by Age UK is a free, confidential telephone service for older people. They provide friendship, conversation and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
The service exists to meet the needs and overcome the isolation experienced by people over 18, who have been bereaved by suicide. Peer-support is offered in person, online, over the phone, or by email.
Sue Ryder offers a range of grief support including in-person and online peer-to-peer support, its Grief Guide which has articles and self-help tools, and online bereavement counselling. All the charity’s services are free to access.
A national charity providing professional and compassionate support to anyone bereaved by suicide.
They support grieving children and young people after the death of someone important.
Information you may find useful
Dying Matters is a coalition of individual and organisational members across England and Wales, which aims to help people talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement, and to make plans for the end of life.
Downloadable Resources
Find below resources that can offer advice and support. Some of these resources are available in other languages.
Read our Bereavement, Grief, and Loss Leaflet