Missing cremation urns trigger alarm in Malaysia

It has prompted columbarium operators to review their surveillance and access controls. Read more at straitstimes.com.

PETALING JAYA - Recent thefts of urns from memorial parks have heightened security concerns among columbarium operators, prompting a review of surveillance and access controls.

Kuala Lumpur Kwong Tong Cemetery (KTC) board chairman Yong Pock Yau said these thefts had raised questions on whether they were isolated cases or involved a more coordinated activity.

“If one or two urns go missing, it’s perhaps a private dispute. But when you’re talking about 20 or 30, that suggests something more organised,” he said in an interview.

Mr Yong said the families were distressed as the disappearance of urns would mean that the ashes of their loved ones had been “disturbed”.

The situation, he said, was particularly sensitive as the Qing Ming festival – when families visit memorial parks and columbariums to pay respects to their ancestors – approaches.

He said KTC had tightened procedures over the years following past incidents involving family misunderstandings.