A cemetery in Greater Manchester is getting a ‘postbox to heaven’

A cemetery in Greater Manchester is set to get its very own ‘postbox to heaven’, giving visitors the chance to post letters to loved ones who have passed away.

The idea was inspired by grieving 9-year-old Matilda Handy, who expressed a desire to mail her grandparents letters in heaven after they passed away.

In response, her mum approached their local cemetery in Nottingham where she just happens to work – leading bosses to respond by installing an old postbox, painted white and gold, ahead of Christmas.

A plaque sits alongside the box that reads: “Thank you for taking a moment to stop by our special post box.

“Whether you wish to write to your loved one on the day of an important anniversary or have no specific reason for doing so, this is a dedicated place for posting your letter.”

It was such a success that the installation led to over 100 letters being posted, so now there are plans to roll the postboxes out across the UK at The Westerleigh group’s 36 UK sites – including one in Greater Manchester.

Set inside acres of beautiful gardens in Atherton, Howe Bridge Crematorium will soon welcome a ‘postbox to heaven’ of its own and, like Matilda, Mancs will soon have the chance to find consolation in writing to their loved ones on the other side.

The full list of The Westerleigh group’s UK crematoriums, where ‘postboxes to heaven’ will be rolled out this year:

Aylesbury Vale Crematorium

Watermead, Aylesbury, HP19 0FU

Babworth Crematorium

Straight Mile, Babworth, Nottinghamshire, DN22 8FJ

Barham Crematorium

Canterbury Road (A260), Barham, Nr Canterbury, Kent CT4 6QU

Borders Crematorium

Borders Crematorium, Melrose TD6 9HA

Basildon & District Crematorium and Cemetery

Church Road, Bowers Gifford, Basildon, Essex SS13 2HG

Cam Valley Crematorium

Field Farm Drive, Great Chesterford, Saffron Walden. CB10 1FE

Charing Crematorium

Newcourt Wood, Charing, Ashford, Kent TN27 0EB

Cromer Crematorium

Holt Road, Cromer NR27 9JJ

Forest of Dean Crematorium

Yew Tree Brake, Speech House Road, Nr Cinderford, Gloucestershire GL14 3HU

Forest Park Cemetery & Crematorium

Forest Road, Hainault, Essex, IG6 3HP

Gedling Crematorium

Catfoot Lane, Lambley, Nottingham NG4 4QH

Great Glen Crematorium

London Road, Great Glen LE8 9DJ

Howe Bridge Crematorium

Off Lovers Lane, Atherton, Manchester, M46 0PZ

Langstone Vale Crematorium

Magor Road, Newport, NP18 2BP

Llanelli Crematorium

Penprys Road, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. SA14 8BX

Mercia Forest Crematorium

Broad Lane, Essington, WV11 2RJ

New Forest Crematorium

Stem Lane New Milton BH25 5FH

New Southgate Cemetery & Crematorium

Brunswick Park Road, New Southgate, N11 IJJ

North Wiltshire Crematorium

Swindon Road, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 8ET

Sedgemoor Crematorium

Stretcholt, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4SR

Parndon Wood Cemetery & Crematorium

Parndon Wood Road, Harlow, Essex CM19 4SF

Sirhowy Valley Crematorium

Pontllanfraith, Blackwood NP12 2YT

Stirlingshire Crematorium

Falkirk Road, Bannockburn, Stirling FK7 8AJ

Test Valley Crematorium

Ridge Lane, Romsey, Hampshire. SO51 6AA

The Vale Crematorium

Evesham Road, Fladbury, Pershore WR10 2QR

Torbay Crematorium & Cemetery

Torquay crematorium, Hele Road, Torquay, TQ2 7QG

Treswithian Downs Crematorium

Treswithian Downs Crematorium, Puggis Hill , Camborne TR14 0BL

Vale Royal Crematorium

Vale Royal Crematorium, Shurlach Lane, Davenham, Northwich CW9 8RP

Waseley Hills Crematorium

New Inns Lane, Rubery, Birmingham. B45 9TS

Wessex Vale Crematorium

Bubb Lane, West End, S030 2HL

West Berkshire Crematorium

Bath Road, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 4LD

Westerleigh Crematorium & Cemetery

Westerleigh Road, Westerleigh, Bristol BS37 8QP

West Lothian Crematorium

Cousland Wood, Starlaw Place, Off Starlaw Road, Livingston EH54 7FD

West Suffolk Crematorium & Cemetery

Risby, Bury St Edmunds, IP28 6RR

West Wiltshire Crematorium

Devizes Road, Semington, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 6HL

West Lancashire Cemetery & Crematorium

Pippin St, Burscough, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L40 7SP

Woollensbrook Cemetery & Crematorium

Hertford Road, Hoddesdon, Herts EN11 9BN

Feature image – ITV News