To her own surprise, the responses quickly poured in and the phone was ringing off the hook. “Two minutes after I posted the message, I already received a call from a volunteer. I now have a list of about 40 people and they are certainly not all acquaintances. They come from Abbekerk, Wognum, Enkhuizen, Opperdoes, Nibbixwoud and Medemblik, for example. But there was also someone who asked whether this was also set up in Egmond. Who knows.”
Some of her North Holland colleagues have already taken over the initiative and are also setting up a network of volunteers.
‘It relieves relatives’
She is surprised by the success of the campaign. “It is very nice that it is worn this way. That people are willing to do something for each other. It is a small effort for many people, especially for people who often walk or cycle. You can do a lot in half an hour. And it relieves the relatives enormously.”
Mourning stamps can also be purchased for 1.40 euros after the price increase, but delivery will then take one day longer. “Fast delivery is important. You don’t want to be delayed because the cards have not yet been taken care of. And that can happen, especially with a weekend in between. If a funeral has to be postponed for a day because the invitees have not yet been informed, there will be additional costs.”
Local ‘mourning postman’
If cards need to be delivered, Monique contacts the local ‘mourning postman’ directly. It is difficult to predict how often volunteers will be deployed. “Maybe once a year, maybe more often. That will show.”
She emphasizes that there is no revenue model for her. “There is no margin for us on the stamps. My interest is that the funeral card is sent quickly, so that the process can continue and the family is satisfied. That is the most important to me.”