An Oxfordshire funeral directors has set up “post boxes to heaven” so cards can be sent to deceased loved ones.

Jackson and Browning, an Oxfordshire funeral home, said it was “inspired” by Matilda Handy from Nottingham who first came up with the idea.

The nine-year-old girl wanted to continue sending her deceased grandparents Christmas and birthday cards, and the idea has provided comfort to nearly 100 families in Nottingham after a 'post box to heaven' was installed at a crematorium.

READ MORE: Spectacular Northern Lights pictures taken in Oxfordshire

In a Facebook post, a spokesman for Jackson and Browning wrote: “We have been inspired this week by Matilda from Nottingham coming up with the wonderful idea of having a postbox in a cemetery to be able to send letters to heaven.

“We have ordered our very own post-boxes for each office so that our communities can do the same.

“We will have our post boxes outside our funeral homes for everyone to use.

“Sometimes writing down our feelings can be helpful when experiencing grief.

“We hope this becomes useful for the community to use.”

The funeral directors have offices in Oxford (OX4 6HU) and Faringdon (SN7 7HP).

READ MORE: Police on guard as Oxford gets royal prince visit

Jackson and Browning is an independent funeral business and the owner Lee Jackson has over seven years of experience.

Dana Jackson, Mr Jackson's sister, wrote a letter to her sister Kelly who died in April 2020.

She said sending a letter provided her with a “bit of comfort”.

Mrs Jackson’s sister passed away after she had a cardiac arrest and suffered brain damage.

She explained: “We never got the chance to say goodbye.

"It's hard for us as a family to come to terms with the loss of Kelly but I think being able to post a letter it gives you a bit of a comfort, that maybe she is around and she will see what we're doing."

Once there is a substantial number of letters in the post box, they are collected and mixed with water and wildflower seeds which are scattered in the area.