Secret 'wind' phones around the world offer grieving souls a chance to speak to lost loved ones

The idea of connecting with loved ones after they’ve passed is deeply healing for many. While it may not be possible to speak to them again, a unique phenomenon called "wind phones" offers a way to simulate that connection, allowing the grieving to express their feelings, share thoughts and continue unfinished conversations. These phones, scattered around the world, provide comfort in a way that resonates with many. The origin of wind phones dates back to 2010 in Japan, when garden designer Itaru Sasaki installed a simple telephone booth in a peaceful garden in Otsuchi, as reported by Your Tango.

Sasaki had lost his cousin and wanted a place where he could "call" and speak with him again. At the time, Otsuchi was still recovering from the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which claimed over 20,000 lives. Sasaki’s creation quickly became a symbolic refuge for the grieving in the aftermath of the disaster, and word about the "wind phone" spread fast. People began visiting the booth, seeking a space to mourn, speak and feel connected to those they had lost. The idea gained momentum, and the wind phone phenomenon spread worldwide.

Today, there are more than 200 wind phones in the United States, according to their website, with many more scattered across Canada, Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. These phones are typically placed in natural settings like parks or hiking trails, offering visitors a quiet, reflective space to connect with their grief away from the hustle of daily life. One notable location is the Howard Christensen Nature Center near Kent City, Michigan, where a wind phone is mounted on a tree like a makeshift payphone. The experience of using the phone has been described as both powerful and healing.

"You feel you're talking to their souls," said 88-year-old Shirley Franchock, speaking about her late husband, Daniel, as reported by Bridge Michigan. "It's unbelievable." Although the wind phones are not connected to any actual phone lines, the experience remains profoundly moving for many. For Amy Dawson of New Jersey, using the wind phone can be "powerful and healing," providing a space for individuals to reflect on their loss in a deeply personal way. While the concept of speaking to the deceased may seem unusual to some, experts believe it can play a vital role in the grieving process.

Mental health professionals often recommend practices that help the bereaved process their emotions through direct interaction with the memory of the deceased, according to Fast Company. Speaking aloud to an empty chair or writing letters to the departed are common therapeutic techniques in grief counseling. The wind phone offers a similar opportunity, allowing people to vocalize their thoughts without the judgment or interruption they might encounter in a typical therapy session. While there is no definitive scientific evidence confirming the effectiveness of wind phones, the growing popularity of these spaces speaks volumes, per CBS Sunday Morning. 

"This is what this is for," said psychiatrist Dr. Mary Morreale, referring to the wind phones. "It's OK to come here and stay connected to your loved one." Taryn Lindhorst, a social worker, compares the wind phone to Gestalt therapy, a counseling method that involves role-play and re-enactments to facilitate emotional release. She believes that the spontaneous nature of speaking into the wind phone allows the user to "air subconscious thoughts and feelings they may not know they have."