Oldham Council instals memorial postbox at Hollinwood Crem
The memorial postbox was inspired by Matilda Handy, a girl who came up with the suggestion for letters to heaven post boxes after both her grandparents died
Oldham Council has installed a memorial postbox at Hollinwood Crematorium that will allow relatives to send letters to loved ones who are no longer alive.
The memorial postbox, which is located in the Book of Remembrance Room, was inspired by Matilda Handy, a Nottinghamshire girl who came up with the suggestion for letters to heaven post boxes after both her grandparents died, five years apart.
Councils across England, Scotland, and Wales have since installed them.
Cllr Chris Goodwin, whose portfolio covers the crematorium and cemeteries, said: “This Post Box allows family and friends to post letters to their loved ones who are no longer with us. Any resident can visit, and they do not need to be connected to Hollinwood Crematorium.
“They can just pop in and post their special message. It gives people the chance to post a birthday card, Christmas card, or the last card or letter that they may not have had the chance to send.”
The Book of Remembrance Memorial Room is next to the Crematorium Chapel. It is available every day of the year to visit, and locked securely overnight.
Every letter put into the memorial post box will be treated with complete confidentiality and sensitivity. None of them are opened or read.