Sigmund Freud: Thieves Attempt To Steal His Ashes, Break Urn In The Process
The cremated remains of Sigmund Freud were recently the center of a botched theft that left the late psychoanalyst’s urn in pieces.
The staff at the North London Golders Green Crematorium discovered the theft attempt on New Year’s Day. The urn, which dates back to 300 BC, was found in several pieces on the floor. Employees believe the thieves smashed the container during their attempt to steal Sigmund Freud’s ashes.
The Greek urn containing Freud’s ashes came from his personal collection. It was later placed on public display after he passed away in 1939. When his widow died in 1951, her ashes were reportedly added to the urn as well. Sadly, the ancient receptacle was seriously damaged during the break-in earlier this year.
“It’s a sad, sad thing. It’s very much a matter for the family, but Freud is very close to our hearts here, and we are deeply saddened at the news, whatever the motive was,” Sigmund Freud museum director Dawn Kemp recently explained.
Detective Constable Daniel Candler was particularly disgusted by the destruction of Sigmund Freud’s urn. He said, “Even leaving aside the financial value of the irreplaceable urn, and the historical significance of to whom it related, the fact that someone set out to take an object knowing it contained the last remains of a person defies belief.”
Officials from the Golders Green Crematorium said the urn was moved to a more secure location following the break-in. Although an investigation into the attempted theft was recently launched, details about the motive or possible suspects aren’t available as of this writing.
Urn containing Sigmund #Freud ‘s ashes smashed during theft attempt: http://t.co/XWWCdyQEdL (@Guardian) pic.twitter.com/d2vqRryAgX
— Jordi Fernández (@JordiFernandez_) January 15, 2014
Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the break-in and attempted theft of Sigmund Freud’s remains to contact police. However, it doesn’t appear as if anyone has come forward with details about the situation just yet.
The north London crematorium has handled the remains of many famous people over the decades. In addition to Sigmund Freud, Golders Green has reportedly handled funerals for Amy Winehouse, Peter Sellers, and Dracula author Bram Stoker.
The 2,300-year-old urn was reportedly given to Sigmund Freud by Princess Marie Bonaparte, the great grand-niece of Napoleon Bonaparte. Princess Marie, who was one of Freud’s patients at the time, helped the father of psychoanalysis escape from Nazi-controlled Austria to Britain in 1938.
It’s unknown when the urn containing Sigmund Freud’s ashes will be back on display.
[Image via Wikimedia Commons]
