In The News

Thieves target urn containing ashes of Sigmund Freud

Thieves target urn containing ashes of Sigmund Freud

SECURITY has been reviewed at a crematorium in north London following an attempt to steal the urn containing the ashes of Sigmund Freud.

The 2,300-year-old Greek urn had been on public display at Golders Green crematorium. The urn, which has been described as priceless, was badly damaged after burglars attempted to remove it from its granite plinth.

Given to Dr. Freud by former patient Princess Marie Bonaparte, the great-grandniece of Napoleon, the urn also contained the ashes of his wife Martha.

Dr. Freud, who was known as the founding father of psychoanalysis, had moved to Britain in 1938 to escape the Nazi regime in Austria. He passed away in September 1939.

Police investigating the attempted theft have branded those responsible as “callous”.

Experts are now being consulted over how the urn can been restored. It is unclear if it will be put back on public display once the restoration work is completed. A spokesperson for the crematorium said that security was being reviewed.

Over the years, the funerals of many famous people have been held at Golders Green, including Enid Blyton, Peter Sellers and Amy Whinehouse.

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