Reminder: Check your urns for cremated remains before donating to resale shops

Police in Vancouver, Wash., are asking the public for assistance in finding the owner of an urn containing cremated human remains donated to a local Goodwill. Authorities believe it was donated by mistake.

“Vancouver Police seeking assistance to locate anyone associated with an urn with cremated remains inside that was donated at a local Goodwill,” wrote authorities in a tweet published Wednesday.

The urn was found by an employee early on Jan. 7, according to KIRO 7. The urn is a wooden box with two M’s on the front as well as the name “Michelle Miller.” Anyone with information should contact the Vancouver Police Department at 360-487-7404.

In another recent case, a woman in Plymouth, Mass., named Priscilla Bailey bought a heart-shaped decoration from a thrift store for $2.99. She realized later it appeared to contain cremated remains.

“It’s beautiful,” said Bailey’s daughter, Kat Bartlett. “It must have a story, so that’s my goal is to find out that we’ve figured out where this … and who it belongs to.”

The thrift store where Bailey bought it, Savers, told ABC News that the majority of donations to the store come from the local community and surrounding area.

Bailey put the word out on social media to try to find the owner of the ornament. Until then, it hangs over her sink. “There it sits,” she said, “my spooky little friend.”

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