Caretaker finds human ashes in car park
 | | CARETAKER Gerald Burton with the casket |
A CARETAKER made a shocking discovery when he arrived to open his office early one morning to find a box of human ashes sitting in the car park.
Gerald Burton, 46, found a wooden casket bearing the remains of a Mr George Green when he arrived at his workplace in Leroy House, Essex Road, Islington.
He thinks the ashes may have been taken in a burglary by thieves who mistook them for a jewel box - then dumped them after realising their true contents.
Mr Burton said: "I saw it sitting there in the corner of the car park, but when I got closer and discovered what it was I thought 'how can anyone be so cold?'
"I moved it to one side but then realised that I couldn't just leave it there. If it was a burglary the family must really want it back."
It is not the first unpleasant surprise Mr Burton has made at work - some years ago he discovered somebody who had hung themselves.
His colleague Christian Kleidon, 28, added: "Finding the ashes was a bit funny at first because you don't expect it. But I was shocked that someone could have that much disrespect for human remains. Two years ago my mother died and I would be devastated if someone stole her remains.
"We don't exactly know what to do with it now and we were hoping a Gazette reader might know something more."
Do you know who George Green was or anyone who has lost an urn of ashes?
Please call the Islington Gazette newsdesk on 0208 342 5777 and we will arrange for the ashes to be reunited with their owner.
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