Sigmund Freud’s Ashes Targeted by Thieves at London Crematorium
Through a Car Window, Darkly: Sigmund Freud arrives in London in 1938. Image by getty images
Thieves have tried to steal an ancient Greek urn containing the ashes of psychoanalysis founder Sigmund Freud, leaving the container severely damaged, police said on Wednesday.
The urn was on display at Golders Green crematorium in north London, alongside memorials to other famous names such as Dracula author Bram Stoker and actors Sid James and Peter Sellers.
Staff found the damaged urn on the floor of the crematorium on New Year’s Day.
“This was a despicable act by a callous thief,” said Metropolitan Police Detective Constable Daniel Candler in a statement.
“Even leaving aside the financial value of the irreplaceable urn … the fact that someone set out to take an object knowing it contained the last remains of a person defies belief,” he added.
Did you know that only 2% of Forward readers donate to support our nonprofit newsroom? That 2% make it possible for millions to read the Forward without a paywall or subscription — removing any barriers to the full and fair Jewish story.
But while the Forward is free to read, it isn’t free to produce. Big stories — like deep dives into the antisemitism data, political scoops or reporting trips to college campuses — take months of research and fact-checking. All while we keep you informed of what you need to know each day.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Forward Publisher & CEO
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
