“In the whiteness of a paper I see your face. I am grateful, I still remember every wrinkle and mole on your pleated skin. I pick up a pen. It has been too long since we spoke”. Natalia Millman.

Grief Letter is an ongoing community project where people can share their personal experience of loss and grief in a form of a letter. Each letter will be included in the art installation, helping to promote grief support and collective empathy. 

This concept grew out of artist’s own experience of loss, coping with grief and finding light ahead. The process of writing has long been proven to have healing properties. Writing down and materialising thoughts helps release tension, organise mental chaos and decipher traumatic triggers.

Writing the letter addressed to the deceased is a powerful way of diving into subconscious, processing memories, closing some chapters, asking for forgiveness or advice or expressing difficult emptions such as anger or regrets or just put your thoughts down without overthinking. According to Harvard Health, there is some research into how disclosing deep emotions through writing, can help us cope with intense feelings of grief.

The project was highlighted at Lifting the Lid festival and as a creative challenge by 64 million artists.

Below are some examples of letters and artwork in response. Request your pack, providing your post address.

Read my blog post “Sharing Stories: Healing Hearts” featured by REIMAGINE about the benefits of writing a Grief Letter and how to start on this journey.

“It took me two years to write my own letter. Love letters are overrated” Natalia Millman

“I’ve found you on Instagram! It looks to be a wonderful project with lots of scope for a great community exhibition”

“I love writing so I have the feeling this is gonna be a good one”

“I 'd love to participate in your project. I recently lost my dad, who was my go-to person, and I think projects like yours truly help the healing / accepting process”

—- Grief Letter participants