Walsall Council’s Bereavement Services win national award
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Walsall Council’s Bereavement Services team has been named ‘Team of the Year – Cemetery and Crematorium Service’ at the prestigious APSE Service Awards 2025.
The national awards, which celebrate excellence in local government frontline services, recognised the team’s transformation from a traditional council-run service into a modern, commercial and community-focused operation.
Under the theme ‘Changing for the future, changing for the better’, the team has enhanced site presentation standards, increased memorial sales, and upskilled its grounds maintenance service, all while raising the profile of bereavement care and placing families at the heart of everything it does.
“ This award is a huge achievement for our Bereavement Services team and one they thoroughly deserve.
“They have modernised and improved the service while never losing sight of the compassion and sensitivity that families expect at such important moments.
"Their commitment to raising standards, improving the customer experience and embracing innovation has been outstanding. We are incredibly proud of them. “
“ The team have worked tirelessly over the past 12-18 month to vastly improve the appearance of our cemeteries, to improve customer service by re-opening a customer facing reception at Streetly Cemetery and Crematorium, and to undergo a digital transformation across both office and grounds teams. It is fantastic that their hard work has been recognised at a national level. “
The win follows a year of significant improvement across the service, including closer community engagement and investment into staff skills.
The awards were presented at the APSE Annual Seminar and Awards ceremony in Scotland earlier this month.
ENDS
