Sikh bereavement packages donated by the local community

Bereavement midwives, along with chaplaincy team members from Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, received the items that will make up the boxes for bereaved families.

Satnam Kaur, the Trust’s Sikh chaplain, said: “I feel the least we could do as a community is to help families who have suffered such a bereavement.

“If this, one small gesture can have a positive impact on their emotional well-being, we’re doing something right.”

The packages included a patka, for the protection of the baby; a chunni, the headscarf used by women during prayer, a Kara/Simran, with rosary beads as a touchable symbol for a stronger prayer connection, baby blankets and Sikh prayer cards for families to understand the meaning of life and death in the religion .

Victoria Weaver, lead bereavement midwife, said: “Culture and religion play an important role in how a family will process the loss of a child. These packs aim to provide comfort and acknowledge the importance of their beliefs in their grief journey.”

All items in the bereavement packages are either lovingly donated or handcrafted by members of the local Sikh community.

By Sam Beeken – Contributor