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

By Reuters January 15, 2014

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.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO