Crematorium worker investigated over theft of 'gold' from human ashes

Moray Crematorium: Worker suspended during theft inquiry.© Iain Macaulay

A member of staff at a Moray crematorium has been suspended pending investigations into the theft of metal fragments from human ashes.

The employee at the Moray Crematorium at Broadley, near Buckie, has been suspended by Dignity Funeral Services pending investigations by Grampian Police.

It is understood that the thefts were discovered and the employee suspended earlier this month. It is thought some of the metal may contain gold from dental fillings and jewellery.

A spokesman for Grampian Police said: “We are making inquiries into allegations of theft at Moray Crematorium.

“A small amount of metal is reported to have been taken although we are at the early stages of our investigation.”

Dignity Funerals confirmed that they had launched a probe into the incident and suspended one member of staff.

A spokesman for the firm said: "A member of staff has been suspended from their duties pending a police investigation.

"This employee had access to the cremator room and had taken globules of non-ferrous precious metals that a device within the cremator removes from the ashes of the deceased.

"The average temperature of the cremator during the cremation process is 1000C and any jewellery being worn by the deceased is reduced to a minute globule.

"We can assure the local community that this person has never had access to coffins or the deceased and therefore jewellery has never been removed prior to cremation. We will continue to support the police by assisting wherever we can with this investigation."

The company are the UK’s largest provider of funeral-related services who say a commitment to care for people through one of the most difficult times in their lives is at the heart of their business.

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