In a heartwarming initiative inspired by a young girl’s poignant idea, the concept of a ‘postbox to heaven’ has taken root in cemeteries across the United Kingdom.
The catalyst behind this touching endeavor is 10-year-old Matilda Handy, who conceived the idea to establish a means of communication with her grandparents after both of them passed away, five years apart.
Matilda’s mother, Leanne, took her daughter’s heartfelt suggestion to the Gedling Crematorium in Nottingham last year. The response from the crematorium was wholehearted, as they promptly erected an old post box painted in white and gold just in time for Christmas. The emotional resonance of this gesture struck a chord, leading to the subsequent implementation of these ‘Letters to Heaven’ boxes across 40 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Her mom, who works for the company, said, “Matilda was the first person to put a message in our first memorial post box at Gedling last December.”
“We had no idea then that, one year later, there would be a memorial post box at every one of Westerleigh Group’s sites—bringing comfort to people all over the country,” she added.
To make things even sweeter to the first memorial post box was the fact that Matilda’s grandmother also worked for the post office. This personal touch made the initiative even more moving, as it paid homage to the family’s connection with the postal service.
Within a short period after installation, the inaugural box received over 100 letters. The letters aimed to provide solace to grieving relatives, offering a means to express love and remembrance during anniversaries and holidays, when things tend to be harder for family members in mourning.
Matilda told SWNS news, “I am so thankful that our post boxes are able to help not just me and my friends and family but people all over the UK and as far away as Australia.”
“It’s just a very nice way to express my feelings and send a letter to them and to say how much I love them,” she added.
In addition, Matilda’s mom also confirmed that she would always comment about how she wished she could send a birthday or Christmas card to her grandparents to read in heaven.
“Matilda was so used to being around postboxes and letters and always wanted to send mama one.”
“A lot of people miss sending cards at Christmas time and they find real comfort in sending something, whether it’s a child drawing a picture or an older person sending something to their loved ones… It helps with the process.”
The overwhelming success of the ‘Letters to Heaven’ box did not go unnoticed. UK funeral directors embraced the idea, leading to its adoption at numerous locations. Matilda’s mother, Leanne, revealed that the concept has transcended borders, with other countries following suit.
Westerleigh Group, one of the United Kingdom’s prominent independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, played a pivotal role in the expansion of this endearing initiative. Impressed by the positive feedback from the first box, the group committed to installing memorial post boxes at all its sites by the end of the year.
The cumulative impact of this endeavor has been substantial, with an estimated 3,000 letters, cards, and messages finding their way into the memorial post boxes.
CEO of Westerleigh Group, Debbie Smith, said the legacy of Matilda’s idea is “helping to bring comfort to thousands of bereaved people around the country, and beyond.”
“We’ve received so much incredibly positive feedback from people who tell us they have gained therapeutic benefit and comfort,” she added.
“Initially, people thought the post box at Gedling was there just for Christmas, but all our boxes are available all year round for people to post cards whenever they wish,” she said.
Matilda’s compassionate spirit extends beyond the confines of her local community. In a incredible gesture, she wrote to King Charles, expressing her desire to install a memorial post box outside Buckingham Palace. This symbolic act would serve as a way to remember beloved figures such as the late Queen, Prince Philip, and Princess Diana.
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