Wind phones help the bereaved deal with death, loss and grief − a clinical social worker explains the vital role of the old-fashioned rotary phone

A Grief Unshared

When my mother passed away in 2020, the world around me came to a standstill. Our state of Washington was under COVID-19 lockdown, and with it, all the usual rituals of grieving were taken away. There was no funeral, no supportive gatherings, no comforting hugs, and no way to say goodbye. The nationwide lockdown continued for months, and thousands of other families found themselves in a similar predicament.

As a clinical social worker with 40 years of experience in end-of-life care and bereavement, I knew I needed a way to process my grief. That’s when I discovered the wind phone.

- Advertisement -

What is a Wind Phone?

A wind phone is a simple, old-fashioned rotary phone located in a secluded spot in nature, often within a booth-type structure and next to a chair or bench. The phone line is disconnected, allowing people to make a one-way call to their deceased loved ones.

The Power of the Wind Phone

People use the wind phone to “call” and have a one-way conversation with their deceased loved ones. It’s a way to say the things left unsaid, to reminisce, and to continue connecting with those who have passed away. For many, it’s a deeply moving and life-affirming experience.

A Brief History of the Wind Phone

The wind phone began in Japan in 2010, when Itaru Sasaki, a garden designer, built a phone booth in his yard to “talk” with his deceased relative. When the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami hit, Sasaki opened the phone booth to his neighbors, who urgently needed a place to express their grief. Word spread, and soon people came on pilgrimage from around Japan to speak through the “phone of the wind” to those they loved.

Since then, wind phones have spread throughout the world, with around 200 located in the United States.

Do Wind Phones Work?

Grief is a universal human experience that affects us psychologically, socially, spiritually, and biologically. Some of our earliest rituals surrounding death date back over 10,000 years, such as using flowers in burial ceremonies and positioning the deceased as if asleep.

While there is no clear guidance on how people should deal with grief, the power of speaking to rather than about the deceased has long been at the root of many grief interventions worldwide. Techniques such as writing a letter to the deceased and then reading it out loud, and speaking directly to an empty chair, have been found to be effective in processing grief.

Research is Needed

In American culture, it’s common to talk about obtaining closure for the loss of a loved one, but the truth is that some grief can persist across a lifetime. Research is needed to fully understand the impact of wind phones on the grieving process.

Conclusion

As a clinical social worker, I can attest to the importance of finding ways to process and cope with grief. Wind phones offer a unique and powerful way to do so, providing a sense of connection and release. While more research is needed to fully understand the benefits of wind phones, the testimonials from those who have used them suggest that they can be a valuable tool in the grieving process.

FAQs

Q: What is a wind phone?
A: A wind phone is an old-fashioned rotary phone located in a secluded spot in nature, often within a booth-type structure and next to a chair or bench. The phone line is disconnected, allowing people to make a one-way call to their deceased loved ones.

Q: How does a wind phone work?
A: People use the wind phone to “call” and have a one-way conversation with their deceased loved ones. It’s a way to say the things left unsaid, to reminisce, and to continue connecting with those who have passed away.

Q: Are wind phones effective in processing grief?
A: While more research is needed to fully understand the benefits of wind phones, the testimonials from those who have used them suggest that they can be a valuable tool in the grieving process.

Q: Can anyone use a wind phone?
A: Yes, wind phones are open to the public and are typically free of charge. They can be found in parks, along walking trails, and on church grounds.