Jewellery missing from deceased mum

[CashewNut11]

Hello everyone!

I've received excellent advice on here about dealing with my mum's affairs after her sudden but peaceful passing recently and would appreciate any thoughts about this new and very upsetting issue.

The funeral directors now have mum at their Chapel of Rest and have written to let me know what she's been returned with.

Not much. Just her wedding ring.

Her engagement ring, an eternity ring and a gold bracelet are missing, as well as a very fine gold necklace and a further ring worn on the ring finger of her right hand

I'm replying to the funeral directors now but I wondered if there was anything else I could do in the meantime?

A post mortem was carried out as she died unexpectedly (non Covid cause) at home.

I had a feeling something as horrible as this might happen...

Why did you think this would happen? Who do you think might have taken her things?

Sorry for your loss. Have you been to her house and looked for the jewellery and asked any family if they know where it could be. Was she wearing this jewellery when she passed, could the.coroner or the mortuary staff have put it somewhere safe.

Without more details it is hard to say. Some of my husband’s belongings disappeared after his death in hospital. They were found a few months later and I got a call. I was a bit surprised by the disorganisation and the idea that belongings were lying around in random hospital locations. I think things can be more chaotic than you imagine.

Good was that’s awful on top of your loss, so sorry

Who else had access to your mum and could have done this? I’d start by working this out.

I also wouldn’t hesitate to report this to the police, I work within the funeral industry and so want to say it’s unlikely to be them - but who knows? There’s evil people in all walks of life.

Was she in hospital when she died? Jewellery often gets stolen from hospital wards, on the way to the mortuary, etc.

Some of my grandmother’s jewellery went missing in her care home when she died. It was a long time ago, so I don’t remember what was done about it. I think sadly it was a case of nothing could be proved, and too many people had had access to her/her room.

Sorry that doesn’t help you, but I wonder how common this is.

Thank you everyone for your posts and support! Just to say - there's a happy ending to this

... and hoping this might be useful info for anyone else who might be in such a situation as this...

On the recommendation of the funeral director's, I called the 101 police number and they checked the log.

There was a note on it to say the police attending had noticed her jewellery, removed it and placed it in an easy to identify drawer. I'm at the house, so checked as I was chatting to the operator, and voila! all safe and sound.

I made sure a huge message of thanks was passed to the officers.

Such a relief. Those pieces, especially her engagement ring, have always held such a special connection of her to me. I am so, so pleased they are safe.

How kind and thoughtful of the officers to do that.

I’m really happy for you

Thats great news. Not everyone is a thief.

Great news

Lovely!

Thank goodness

A nice faith restored story. Few and far between...

Ah, OP, I came here to suggest you contact the Police.
When my mum (at home & alone) died they took off all her jewellery and bagged it up - it was then posted to me about a month later - with her house key (I didn't even know it was missing).
I'm so pleased you found it.

Phew!! My heart sank when I read your post.

Sorry for your loss too

How thoughtful of the police to do that. They must know the kind of thing that goes on

That is good to.know xx