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Post box opens at cemetery to help bereaved

Chris GeeLocal Democracy Reporting Service and BBC News
News imageLDRS A family gather to post a card in a red envelope at the black post box in a graveyard. A little child in a blue hooded coat is helped by a man on the left to put the card in, while a woman on the right holding a baby and a little girl in a purple coat standing on the right watching.LDRS
Residents can post letters to their loved ones at the post box in Bury Cemetery

A post box for people experiencing grief to post letters to their deceased loved ones has opened in a cemetery.

Bury bereavement services in Greater Manchester were approached by several people requesting the post box in the local cemetery so they can write cards and letters to those who had died.

The "letters to loved ones" post box is now open after residents said they felt this would help with their grieving process.

The council said it was hopeful this would bring comfort to anyone who has been bereaved.

News imageLDRS The black pillar postbox has a red ribbon tied around the top and a bouquet of flowers lies at the bottom on the right. Graves lies around it in the cemetery. A Bury Council sign on the right says "Letters to loved ones".LDRS
Similar post boxes have been set up in other ares of the country

The letters and cards will not be opened nor read, and will later be composted to promote growth within the cemetery grounds, local officials said.

The Mayor of Bury, councillor Noel Bayley, added: "Losing someone you love is one of the hardest and most difficult parts of life.

"I sincerely hope that this post box provides a healthy outlet for our residents to express their grief and feel closer to their loved ones, friends and family."

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