Featured Image Credit: SWNS
Topics: UK News
Dominic Smithers
Cemeteries across the country are installing 'postboxes to heaven following a little's girl's genius idea.
Matilda Handy, from Nottingham, was devastated when gran Pat died in 2017 and then her granddad, Keith, passed away in November last year.
Though they were no longer alive, the nine-year-old still wanted to talk to them, so came up with the idea of sending them letters in heaven.
Her mum Leanne then spoke to the local crematorium in Lambley, where she works, to see if they could install a letterbox for mourners.
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Bosses loved the idea, and painted an old letterbox white before Christmas, which has seen over 100 letters posted through it since.
Matilda said: “We're doing these to be used by people when they walk past.
"It's been hard because my grandad passed away in November 2022, so it definitely did help me.
"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."
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She added: "If heaven had a phone, Then I'd give you a ring. Just hear your voice and tell you, How my day has been.
"But it doesn't have a phone, To make missing you better, So instead I write my feelings down. And send them in a letter.
"I know that you'll be watching, As I write down every word, And I'll feel it when you reply, The unwritten and unheard."
Leanne said she thinks it's not only helped Matilda, it's also having a huge impact on the local community.
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“We wanted to unveil it at Christmas," she said.
“A lot of people miss sending cards at Christmas time and that’s an important occasion for people in the community. It's used every single day, whether its someone old or young.
"People find real comfort in sending something, whether it’s a child drawing a picture or an older person sending something to their loved ones.
"The art of writing something helps with the process.”
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Because of what a massive success it's proved to be, the Westerleigh group, which own the crematorium, is installing boxes to all of its 36 UK sites - as well as another three set to open later this year.
Matthew Brook, head of memorialisation at Westerleigh Group, said: “Matilda’s postbox has touched hearts of so many bereaved people across the country.
“Priding ourselves on serving our communities with exceptional care, we are delighted to be installing similar postboxes across all Westerleigh Group crematoria and helping many others who are grieving the loss of their loved one in a similar way."