A New Memorial Postbox at the Friends Garden
Melksham Town Council is pleased to introduce a new memorial postbox at The Friend’s Garden on King Street, behind the former Spiritualist Church in King Street.
The postbox provides a quiet space for residents and visitors to pause, write and post letters to a loved one, whether to mark a birthday, anniversary, or simply send a heartfelt message. Every letter is treated with care: they are never opened or read, and in partnership with West Wiltshire Crematorium in Semington, letters are eco-composted and placed in the crematorium’s Memorial Garden, so the words may live on.
Part of the “Letters to Heaven” Movement
Melksham’s postbox is part of a broader Letters to Heaven movement, which has grown across the UK as a simple but powerful way to support people in grief. The initiative began with nine-year-old Matilda Handy, from Nottingham, who wanted a way to send cards to her late grandparents, particularly her grandmother, who had worked in a post office for many years. With the help of her mum, Leanne, a Memorial Advisor at Gedling Crematorium, the first memorial postbox was installed just before Christmas 2022. Within weeks, hundreds of letters had been sent, and the idea quickly spread to crematoria and remembrance gardens nationwide. Today, memorial postboxes offer families and individuals a gentle, tangible way to express love and remembrance.
A Place for Reflection
The Friend’s Garden is a treasured corner of Melksham, kept beautiful and welcoming thanks to the dedication of Melksham Bloomers volunteers, with support from the Town Council as landowner, helping keep the garden open for everyone to enjoy. Its benches, greenery, and quiet atmosphere make it an ideal setting for reflection and contemplation. The postbox sits harmoniously within this environment, giving people a gentle place to write messages and express emotions.
Whether marking a special day or leaving a note in memory, the letters become part of a living memorial, allowing love and remembrance to take a tangible form.
Cared for with Sensitivity
In partnership with West Wiltshire Crematorium at Semington, the Town Council ensures that each letter is handled respectfully. Letters are never opened or read and are eco-composted, then placed in the crematorium’s Memorial Garden. This careful process preserves the privacy, dignity, and meaning of every message.
Supporting Our Community
Grief and remembrance are deeply personal journeys, and this memorial postbox offers an accessible, inclusive way for the community to reflect, remember, and feel connected.
We invite everyone to visit The Friend’s Garden and use this special space whenever they need.