Salvation Army receives donated urn filled with ashes

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — A Salvation Army thrift store in New Hampshire has received an urn apparently filled with cremated remains.

The Portsmouth Herald reports the urn was donated last week. It’s bronze in colour and is engraved “Richard L. Pettengill 1929-1981.”

The store is holding onto the urn in an effort to return it to the deceased’s relatives.

Portsmouth police Lt. Michael Maloney told the newspaper it’s not a crime to donate an urn with ashes but called it “odd.”

Police said the urn and ashes are considered private property, and whoever owned them could do with them what they wish.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

An obituary ran in the pages of the Herald’s sister paper for a Richard L. Pettengill who died in 1981. He was described as a brick mason who served in the Army.

___

Information from: Portsmouth Herald, http://www.seacoastonline.com

The Associated Press