People grieving the loss of a loved one have a new safe space to go to in east Saint John.

A new wind phone has been installed at Jervis Bay-Ross Memorial Park off Loch Lomond Road.

It is a partnership between the Compassionate Grief Centre, Fundy Funeral Home, and Jervis Bay Legion.

Jamie Godfrey, CEO of the Compassionate Grief Centre, said the wind phone idea originated in Japan more than a decade ago.

“A gentleman lost a relative and he created a glass-panelled phone booth with a disconnected rotary phone inside for communicating with his lost relative,” Godfrey said in an interview.

The idea to install a wind phone in Saint John came from the community, she said, adding they received many phone calls and messages from people.

Wind phones are often placed in serene park-like settings, she said, which is where the Jervis Bay-Ross Memorial Park came into the picture.

A new wind phone and bench at the Jervis Bay-Ross Memorial Park in Saint John. Image: Submitted

The grief centre reached out to the Jervis Bay Legion, and Godfrey said they were more than happy to get on board.

“The fact that they have many people in their world that are grieving and we really thought, between the two organizations, that it was a great fit,” she said.

Godfrey’s charity helps people cope with grief and loss through counselling and support.

The wind phone is another way they can help people on their grief journey, she said.

“Grief is hard, and sometimes it’s very complicated for people. It’s not a one-size-fits-all emotion,” said Godfrey.

With one wind phone now installed in Saint John, the centre is hoping to install others throughout the region.