Council launches consultation for Letters to Heaven post box

DERRY City and Strabane District Council have launched a consultation regarding the ‘Letters to Heaven’ post box initiative which is be rolled out across the city and district.

Letters to Heaven is an initiative whereby letterboxes are placed in four of the largest cemeteries, allowing visitors to send letters to loved ones they have lost.

This scheme was brought forward by members as a notice of motion and endorsed by Full Council in March 2023 with the designated locations of the City Cemetery and Ballyoan in Derry as well as Castlederg and Strabane cemeteries.

Council is now interested in hearing people’s views on the commencement of the scheme, specifically at Castlederg Cemetery.

Cllr Ruairí McHugh, chair of the Environment and Regeneration Committee, encouraged local residents and cemetery visitors to engage with the consultation.

“We are keen to hear from as many residents across the city and district, in particular the Castlederg Cemetery visitors, about the proposed installation of the Letters to Heaven letterbox,” he said. “We understand there will be mixed reviews surrounding the topic and we are interested in hearing all those opinions. We understand that each person experiences grief differently and strategies which work for one person may be different to those that work for someone else.”

The initiative was brought to the attention of the council by former mayor, Graham Warke who was contacted by a local woman who previouslyvlost a family member, leaving behind a young son. The woman felt the young boy would benefit if he thought he could write a letter to his father. They were inspired by a similar scheme which was initially rolled out in Nottinghamshire and then other areas across the UK.

The consultation will run until Friday February 16. To take part please visit https://bit.ly/3tW99BP