New Milton crematorium installs 'Letters to Heaven' post box

The post box has been installed at New Forest Crematorium, after the success of the initiative at one of the crematorium’s sister sites, Gedling Crematorium in Nottingham.

The ‘Letters to Heaven’ initiative allows people to send letters to their loved ones who have passed away.

In the first few weeks of the installation of the box in Nottingham, more than 100 letters and postcards were posted.

The initiative was the idea of nine-year-old Matilda, daughter of Gedling Crematorium’s Memorial Advisor, Leanne Handy.

Leanne said: “Now the post box is in place, I am so pleased that local people are using it, and taking some comfort from it, as another way of feeling connected to their loved ones.”

The idea has seen Matilda appear on television, including on the BBC One Show, and receive an invite to Number 10 Downing Street for an International Women’s Day reception. She was presented with a Point of Light award by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

It was such a success at the site in Nottingham, the Westerleigh Group, who have 37 sites across the UK, decided to introduce them at all its sites over the coming weeks and months.

Graeme Horobin, site manager at New Forest Crematorium, said: “Having seen the response to the first memorial post box at Gedling Crematorium, I am pleased to have installed something similar here at New Forest, enabling our bereaved communities to have access to this wonderful asset too.

“Feedback has shown that the process of writing a letter, or perhaps a birthday card, to a lost loved one has already brought therapeutic comfort to many people.

“Now, the communities in and around our crematorium can do the same thing.

“No address or stamps are required on any of the letters or cards.

“This is just another way in which we can provide emotional support to local families and is part of the uniquely personal exceptional care that all Westerleigh Group’s crematoria are committed to deliver.”