Newton Abbot-based funeral directors Parkers has installed a special post-box so mourners can remember loved ones over the Christmas period.

The silver post-box, which is located halfway up the drive outside Parkers’ premises on Devon Square, is available for anyone to post letters, cards or pictures to a loved one who has passed.

‘We understand that, whilst this is a magical time of year, it can be hard for some families when someone is missing, yet still remains in their thoughts and hearts’ a spokesperson from Parkers said. ‘We hope this post-box can provide some comfort to those who wish to use it,’ the spokesperson added.

The box will be available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday until Christmas Eve.

Parkers also plans to use the post-box at other sensitive times of year, such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to give people the chance to express their thoughts and feelings to a loved one they may be missing.

‘Every letter or card is treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality. They are stored securely and never opened or read,’ Parkers said. ‘The post box is not owned or services by Royal Mail, so there’s no need to add an address or stamps.’

Parkers will keep the contents until the end of January when they will be recycled.

The concept of letters to heaven came after a nine-year old girl in Nottinghamshire approached her local crematorium to ask if they could install a post-box so she could send cards and letters to her late grandparents. It was so popular that the concept was rolled out across the country.

Having seen the idea take off, Parkers said ‘we thought it would be a nice gesture for our local community’.

In Teignmouth, a memorial Christmas tree offers a way for people to commemorate loved ones over the festive period.