A letters to heaven post box has been installed at an Oldham crematorium.

The post box allows people to send letters to their loved ones who have passed away. 

Installed by Oldham Council in the Book of Remembrance room at Hollinwood Crematorium, the idea was inspired by the story of a Nottinghamshire girl who first thought of the idea.

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Matilda Handy came up with the suggestion for letters to heaven post boxes after both her grandparents died, five years apart.

Councils across England, Scotland, and Wales have since installed them.

A campaign for Oldham to receive a box was headed by funeral director and manager of Harold P. Heywood in Failsworth, Michael Lindup.

At the time, Mr Lindup even offered to pay for and maintain a disused royal mail post box for the special postal feature.

Mr Lindup joined Oldham councillors at the unveiling of the memorial post box.

Councillor Chris Goodwin, whose portfolio covers the Crematorium and Cemeteries, said: “This Post Box allows family and friends to post letters to their loved ones who are no longer with us.

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“Any resident can visit, and they do not need to be connected to Hollinwood Crematorium.

“They can just pop in and post their special message. It gives people the chance to post a birthday card, Christmas card, or the last card or letter that they may not have had the chance to send.”

The Book of Remembrance Memorial Room is next to the Crematorium Chapel, it is available every day of the year to visit and locked securely overnight.

Every letter put into our memorial post box will be treated with complete confidentiality and sensitivity. None of them are opened or read.