Funeral directors wants to reunite families with ashes of loved ones

A FUNERAL directors has launched an appeal to reunite families with the uncollected ashes of loved ones in Perth.

Fosters Family Funeral Directors say more than 150 sets of ashes have been left unclaimed at its parlours across Scotland, including their Perth base.

Despite the Fair City branch only having been open since April, the company already has the ashes of three individuals left with them which have gone unclaimed.

With Christmas fast approaching, bosses say thoughts often turn to family and friends who may not be with us anymore and management at the Whitefriars parlour are keen to use this time to raise awareness about those ashes which have not yet been claimed.

The firm say that some of the ashes elsewhere in Scotland date back as far as 2005.

Lorna Montgomery, branch manager, said having ashes left with the funeral directors is a fairly common occurrence.

She said: “There can be many reasons why ashes are not collected immediately. In some instances we are asked to keep them so they can be scattered alongside the ashes of another family member at a later date. However, funerals can be hard for grieving families, and sometimes coming in to collect ashes is difficult.

“There are also cases where people have simply moved address and it can be challenging for us to trace them.

“We would love to help reunite people with the ashes of their loved ones.”

Anyone who wishes to inquire about unclaimed ashes can contact their local Fosters funeral parlour where the cremation was organised, or alternatively contact the 24-hour care line on 0800 121 8090.