A NEW memorial post box has been installed at Torbay Cemetery & Crematorium which allows people to send ‘Letters to Loved Ones’ to those they have lost.

The move follows the success of a similar initiatives at other sites, which proved very popular, with more than 100 letters and cards being posted within the first few weeks.

The memorial post box initiative was the idea of nine-year-old Matilda, daughter of Gedling Crematorium’s Memorial Advisor, Leanne Handy, whose father passed away in 2003 and mother passed away in 2017.

Leanne said: ‘It all came about because Matilda was always saying she wished we could send Mamma and Grandad birthday and Christmas cards.

'She was four when my mum died, and never met my dad.

‘Now the post box is in place, it’s another way of feeling connected to their loved ones.

‘The memorial post boxes are available to absolutely anyone who wants to write a message to someone who’s no longer here.’

Matilda’s idea saw her appear on the BBC One Show, on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and even receive an invite to Number 10 Downing Street for an International Women’s Day reception, where she was presented with a Point of Light award by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Stephen Ainsworth, Site Manager at Torbay Cemetery & Crematorium, said: ‘The process of writing a letter, or a 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.'