'Post box to heaven' helps grieving families mourn

People are already using the post box for their heartfelt messages, says Loic Rich

A post box has been installed at memorial gardens in Cornwall for people to post messages to loved ones who have passed away.

The white Letters to Lost Loved Ones post box will be officially launched at an open day and memorial service at Penmount Memorial Gardens in Truro on Sunday.

It follows the idea of a nine-year-old girl in Nottingham who wanted to write to her grandparents who had died.

No stamps were needed and the messages would not be read when the box was opened at the gardens, which are cared for by Cornwall Council, organisers said.

Loic Rich, council cabinet member for the environment and climate change, said the letter box is already helping people.

He said: "We know people are using it. You can write anything you like. You put it in the post box to one of your loved ones.

"It is getting a lot of use. A lot of people will get comfort from it.

"If you feel like you need to say something to someone, you can put it on a bit of paper and put it in here."

Bereavement team leader Adam Byrom said: "You can leave any message in our post box and when the post box is emptied the messages remain unread."

"They are shredded and used on the compost on the memorial gardens."