Post a letter to heaven at Southampton crematorium

Harlee’s Angels, a local charity, has kindly donated two ‘Letters to Heaven’ post boxes - one for each of our two gardens of rest situated at Southampton Crematorium and South Stoneham Cemetery

The scheme, which was inspired by Matilda Handy, aged 9, from Nottingham while she was dealing with the loss of her grandparents, has seen dozens of crematoriums across the UK installing 'post boxes to heaven' so people can send letters to deceased loved ones. The post boxes were seen by the founders of Harlee’s Angels, Fern and Ryan Steele, and they felt that the writing and posting of letters could really help in processing grief. Fern and Ryan Steele set up their charity Harlee’s Angels to support families who have lost a child through sudden or unexpected death after their own 11-year-old son Harlee passed away suddenly in June 2020. 

With these post boxes, the charity hopes to offer families in Southampton a place to post a letter to their loved ones to help with coping with their loss. Grieving families can write letters to missed loved ones and post them in the secure black post boxes. By gifting these post boxes for the use of everyone who has lost someone the charity hopes that they will be able to help grieving families across the city.

The Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Valerie Laurent, cut the ribbon in an opening ceremony on Tuesday 23 May with Harlee’s Angels founders Fern and Ryan and Harlee’s siblings Louie and Elsie-Mae. Louie and Elsie-Mae then posted their own letters to their big brother in the post box to heaven.

Councillor Valerie Laurent, the Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Southampton, said:

“I was honoured to cut the ribbon in the opening ceremony. The grieving process is very individual and I do hope that these post boxes to heaven can offer a little bit of support to mourners.

“We are very grateful to Harlee’s Angels for this generous donation. Harlee’s Angels is such an important charity as families who lose a child often don’t know where to turn.”

Heather White, Harlee’s grandmother and Service Manager for Bereavement at Southampton City Council, commented:

“We see a lot of sorrow at the crematorium and there is often nothing anyone can do to help. We are grateful for the donation of the post boxes and do hope that they will help some of our grieving families like they have mine.

“Post boxes like these have been installed at many crematoriums across the country and have proven to be of great benefit for people dealing with the loss of a loved one. Our post boxes are accessible every day in the gardens of rest at Southampton Crematorium and South Stoneham Cemetery to send your own personal letters or messages to loved ones in the hope that this may bring you some comfort.”  

If you require any further details please feel free to call a member of the team at Southampton Crematorium who will be able to assist you on 023 8076 6405.

For more information visit Harlee’s Angels, or for more general grief support see How do I find help near me?