Families in Sandwell often need a mix of medical, practical and emotional support when someone is approaching the end of life or has just died. The local system involves Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, GPs and community nurses, Sandwell Council’s registration and bereavement services, and national bereavement organisations signposted by the council.
Local end of life care: Connected Palliative Care
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust runs Connected Palliative Care for adults in Sandwell and West Birmingham who have a life-limiting illness, along with their relatives and carers. The trust says the service works in partnership with GPs, community nurses and other professionals to coordinate support, offer practical advice, support relatives and signpost people to equipment and other services.
The Trust also highlights a Palliative Living Well Service for Sandwell residents, including support with symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety and breathlessness. Group sessions are offered at Rowley Regis Hospital where transport is possible, with home visits available for some people who cannot attend.
The service is accessed via a health professional referral, but once you are known to the service, the trust says patients, relatives and carers can contact it directly.
- Connected Palliative Care Hub: 0121 507 2664 (Option 2), 8am to 8pm, seven days a week
- Overnight urgent line: 07896 793814
- Email: swb-tr.SWBH-GM-Connected-PC-Hub@nhs.net
If someone dies in hospital
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has a dedicated Bereavement Service for relatives and close friends of patients who die at the Trust. The service explains what happens next, supports families around certificates and mortuary arrangements, and signposts people to further bereavement support.
- Bereavement Service: 0121 507 3216 (weekdays)
- Certificate Office – Sandwell Health Campus: 0121 507 3464
- Certificate Office – Midland Metropolitan University Hospital: 0121 507 4368
- Medical Examiners: 0121 507 3473
Registering a death in Sandwell
Sandwell Council says a death should normally be registered within five days in the district where it happened, unless the coroner is involved. In Sandwell, registrations take place face to face at Sandwell Register Office, Highfields House, High Street, West Bromwich, B70 8RJ.
- Register Office phone: 0121 368 1188
- Email: Registrars_Westbromwich@sandwell.gov.uk
- Out-of-hours urgent death registration line: 07810 152159
The council says it will send the green form directly to the chosen funeral director once the death is registered. Sandwell also promotes the government’s Tell Us Once service to help notify departments about the death.
Bereavement support and practical help
Sandwell’s bereavement pages signpost residents to support from organisations such as Cruse Bereavement Support, Dying Matters, The Good Grief Trust, Hub of Hope, The Loss Foundation, Sue Ryder Grief Support and Sands. The council also highlights its own Bereavement Team and Sandwell Funeral Service for families arranging funerals.
Because bereavement often affects income, Sandwell also points residents to the borough’s Welfare Rights Team for free benefits advice and help with funeral-related financial pressures.
Useful Sandwell links
- Connected Palliative Care
- Connected Palliative Care leaflet
- Bereavement Service
- Register a death
- What to do after someone dies and bereavement support
- Benefits advice – Welfare Rights Team
Last reviewed: 30 March 2026. Opening times, charges, referral routes, eligibility rules and commissioned services can change, so always use the linked Sandwell or NHS service before you travel, apply or rely on a phone number.
