​Wind Phone in Geddes Park, Kincardine, to help people grieve lost loved ones

A Wind Phone has been installed at Geddes Park, Kincardine, providing a unique space for individuals to find solace and connect with lost loved ones.

Unveiled Friday, by Huron Shores Hospice, the Wind Phone was inspired by the Japanese “kaze no denwa” tradition, as a way to cope with grief and loss.

In 2010, Itaru Sasaki, a garden designer, set up the first Wind Phone in his garden as a personal means to grieve the loss of his cousin. He placed an unconnected rotary phone inside an old-fashioned phone booth and said, "Because my thoughts could not be relayed over a regular phone line, I wanted them to be carried on the wind.”

When the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami struck in 2011, causing immense loss and devastation, Sasaki opened the phone to the public, providing a space for friends and relatives of the victims to find solace in their grief.

“The Wind Phone in Geddes Park is a place for grieving individuals to feel a connection with their departed loved ones,” said Cathy Herbert, executive director of Huron Shores Hospice. “It allows people to express their thoughts, regrets, and love, providing a sense of comfort and closure.

“After the loss of a loved one, I think there's a sense of needing to say things, communicate, and still feel a connection. There is no one right way to grieve the loss of a loved one. We offer group Grief Recovery Method sessions, as well as one-on-one sessions in-person or on-line, and this is simply another way for people to express their grief.”

The Wind Phone sits in a serene location, providing privacy for visitors to talk or allow the wind to create calming sounds, reminiscent of the ocean's whispers, offering visitors a serene environment to process their emotions. It is complemented by a wooden bench, welcoming individuals to sit and reflect as long as they desire.

A Wind Phone will also be installed, by the end of next week, in the gazebo at the Walk of Memories in Tiverton.

The Wind Phone can be found in a wooden housing, built and donated by Phil Armstrong of Old Guys Handyman Services in Kincardine.

A plaque placed inside the housing reads, "Though I’ve lost you, I can hear your voice in the silent echoes of your absence. You speak to me through rustling leaves, whistling wind and bowing branches. Though I’ve lost you, I feel you here in this shrine of trees in nature’s sanctuary. This Wind Phone is for all who grieve. You are welcome to find solace here. Please use it to connect with those you have lost. To feel the comfort of their memory. May you hear their voices in the wind. May you be at peace with your losses.” -- Words by Millet Israeli

"We were happy to support Huron Shores Hospice in the installation of this additional support for people experiencing grief,” said Kincardine mayor Kenneth Craig. “If a Wind Phone assists anyone in processing grief, then the municipality’s small contribution has been very worthwhile.”

The Wind Phone is open to everyone, and individuals are encouraged to visit Geddes Park and experience its healing and comforting atmosphere. It offers a safe space to process grief, away from societal pressures to move on, and provides a unique opportunity to connect with loved ones who have passed away.



Taking part in the unveiling of the Wind Phone in Geddes Park, Kincardine, are Huron Shores Hospice chairperson Carol Rencheck (left), Phil Armstrong of Old Guys Handyman Services, and Huron Shores Hospice executive director Cathy Herbert; photo courtesy of Huron Shores Hospice

Huron Shores Hospice is a charitable not-for-profit, volunteer-driven, community-funded residential hospice, providing quality end-of-life care, at no cost, to residents of Kincardine, Huron-Kinloss, Saugeen Shores and surrounding areas. The hospice also provides free programs for Grief Recovery, End-of-Life Doula services, Death Cafes and End-of-Life Planning workshops.