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Bereaved Mom Installs 'Wind Phone' for Grief
4 Jul
Summary
- A mother installed a disconnected phone for grief counseling.
- The 'wind phone' allows one-sided conversations with deceased loved ones.
- This unique grief support is located in Durrington Cemetery, West Sussex.
In Worthing, West Sussex, a bereaved mother has established what is believed to be the first "wind phone" in the region. This initiative provides a disconnected telephone in a private setting, allowing individuals to have one-sided conversations with deceased loved ones, offering a unique form of comfort.
The idea was inspired by a Japanese concept and a book shared by a neighbor. The mother, Nicci Parish, whose 24-year-old son Billy died in November 2020 after taking MDMA, sought to create a space for grieving. She noted the profound power of dialing a number and speaking as if the person were still listening.
After a three-year effort, the wind phone is set to be installed in Durrington Cemetery, where Billy is buried. This project is described as a "little legacy" to Billy and aims to be a valuable resource for the entire community, supporting those navigating loss. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show 78 deaths in England and Wales in 2024 were linked to MDMA or ecstasy.
