SAY
GOODBYE
Record a message.
Listen to others.
Anonymous. Authentic. Human.
A PUBLIC PHONE LINE FOR GOODBYES.
The Goodbye Line began as a guerrilla art project in Los Angeles, turning the city’s last working payphones into locations for letting go.
Countless messages later, the line has formed an expansive archive of goodbyes: to people, pets, relationships, places, and past versions of ourselves.
At its core, this is a project about letting go. But it’s also about what remains: our voices, our memories, and the way loss connects us.
The Goodbye Line reminds us that grief isn’t just a private expression, it’s a shared human experience.
HOW IT WORKS
01
CALL
Call the line from anywhere.
02
LEAVE A MESSAGE
Say what you need to say.
03
HANG UP
Your goodbye becomes part of the archive.
04
LISTEN
Hear anonymous messages from others.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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The Goodbye Line is a free, community art project where you can say the goodbyes you never got to say. It’s a space for expression, reflection, and the hard work of letting go.
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Call the line and leave a message — it’s yours to shape however you need. You’re welcome to call as often as you want.
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You can call from any phone—mobile, landline, or payphone. The line is open 24/7. While we feature payphones when we find them, the project is not limited to them.
If you spot a working payphone you think we should know about, feel free to reach out—we’re always looking.
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You can call from anywhere in the world. The toll-free number may not connect outside the U.S., however, calls placed through WhatsApp or similar apps usually work. Just remember to include the U.S. country code while dialing.
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The primary purpose of The Goodbye Line is to give people a space for letting go.
By leaving a message, you add it to the project’s archive. On occasion, a small number of messages may be shared anonymously—with extreme discretion and care—through art, storytelling projects, social media, and community installations, as a way to remind others they’re not alone.
If you don’t want your message shared, simply say so in your recording. We respect all requests for privacy.
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Of course. You don’t need to give your name unless you want to.
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We sometimes share messages in exhibits, online, and may include them in art or storytelling projects related to The Goodbye Line community.
We will never sell or commercialize your words.
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We receive several thousands calls, far more than we could ever share. Only a small number of messages are featured publicly, and selection isn’t a measure of importance or impact. Every message matters, whether it’s shared or remains private.
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Messages left on The Goodbye Line may not be reused, adapted, or incorporated into other works (including music, film, or writing).
These messages belong to the people who shared them—and to this project, which exists to hold them with care. They were offered in a spirit of vulnerability and trust.
Reusing them outside that context isn’t just a legal issue—it’s an ethical one.
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Messages shared through The Goodbye Line may touch on grief, loss, and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening.
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No — The Goodbye Line is not a crisis or counseling service.
If you are in immediate need of help, please contact a crisis line in your area.
