Cremated remains from B.C. wash up in Scotland

Morag Paterson was going for a swim Friday morning near Inverness, Scotland, in the far northern part of the country, when something on the beach caught her eye.

A plastic bag, perhaps the size of a garbage bag, sat near the water and was full of a grayish powder. The bag was sealed and attached to it was a round metal tag that said simply, “Central Michigan Crematory Battle Creek MI” with a five-digit identification number.

And so the mystery begins.

Paterson tried to email the crematory, run by Brutsche Concrete Products at 15150 6 1/2-Mile Road, but could not get through, so she contacted the Battle Creek Enquirer instead to make known what she had stumbled upon.

The crematory learned of the remains Friday morning and, according to the company’s Mickey Brutsche, they know who the remains belong to through the ID number.

He has no idea how the remains ended up in Scotland but said remains have been known to show up far from where they might be expected.

“It does happen somewhat often,” he said. “Toss the ashes in a bag in spots. They found the remains in Ireland (actually in the north of Scotland) and we are working with our records and the funeral home and letting them know. It happens a couple of times a year.”

Brutsche would not identify the funeral home that handled the service and he said it would be the funeral home’s responsibility to notify the family.

“But this is someone’s loved one so it’s up to them if they want it to be public or not,” he said.