<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Exclusive:</span></strong><span> An Australian family grieving the sudden loss of their mother has been left shattered after a package containing her ashes was stolen in broad daylight.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Debbie Kristenson couldn't get a flight in time from the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/gold-coast" rel="" target="_blank" title="Gold Coast"><span>Gold Coast</span></a><span> to </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="_blank" title="Sydney"><span>Sydney</span></a><span> to say goodbye to her mother Lorna, who died in her nursing home on February 6.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Adding to their heartbreak, Kristenson and her brother are now suffering profound "distress" after discovering the parcel containing her remains was cruelly swiped from their doorstep in Sydney's inner-east.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bluey-in-auslan-abc-announces-show-will-be-made-in-auslan-after-australian-father-james-wright-petition/0803b736-dfe2-4d17-b177-8da53ac4b575" rel="" target="_blank" title="Melbourne dad's 'urgent' plea to the ABC is finally answered"><strong><span>Melbourne dad's 'urgent' plea to the ABC is finally answered</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>Do you have a story? Contact</span></strong></em><span> </span><strong><em><span>reporter April Glover at</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="mailto:april.glover@nine.com.au" target="" title="april.glover@nine.com.au"><em><strong><span>april.glover@nine.com.au</span></strong></em></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We're probably not going to get them back," Kristenson told </span><a href="https://www.nine.com.au/" rel="" target="_blank" title="Nine.com.au."><span>Nine.com.au.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Nothing can replace mum."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/debbie-kristenson-mother-ashes-missing-sydney/91eb63fb-a32e-4623-a46c-99034287bb28" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>After the cremation on February 18, Lorna's remains were sent to the funeral director at Sydney Memorial Cremations in Roselands.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kristenson asked for the ashes to be sent to her brother – who is disabled and cannot drive – and was told a third-party courier service would deliver the ashes to his apartment in Surry Hills for a fee.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The siblings requested to have the ashes hand-delivered and claim a staff member said this could be arranged.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, Sydney Memorial Cremations disputes this claim and say this is not a service they offer.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We explain to families that we use a courier (in this case, Aramex) to deliver the ashes and couriers can never guarantee face-to-face delivery," spokesperson Spiro told Nine.com.au.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are appalled that someone would do this to a grieving family and have done our best to help, out of deep sympathy for their situation."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Aramex Australia handled the delivery and notified Kristenson's brother that it had arrived at 10.40am on February 20.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>When he dashed outside to grab the package, it was already gone.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/not-so-grey-nomads-max-and-duncan-cancer-diagnosis-during-australia-road-trip/40ca16ad-c8f3-4539-832e-45b1c40bba01" target="_blank" title="Max and Duncan sold everything to become nomads. Then came a grim diagnosis"><strong><span>Max and Duncan sold everything to become nomads. Then came a grim diagnosis</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/downsizing-costs-why-stamp-duty-moving-expenses-agent-fees-are-stopping-homeowners-explained/973605d4-c526-4a1c-aa19-715eddc12aef" target="_blank" title="The $78k fee stopping cashed-up baby boomers from selling up"><strong><span>The $78k fee stopping cashed-up baby boomers from selling up</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We had asked for it to be hand-delivered, we didn't want them to be lost," Kristenson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"But they took a photo and left it outside a housing commission building in Surry Hills.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"[The courier] didn't even press the unit number."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A blurry photograph shows the ashes had been left on the ground outside the apartment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The delivery had been marked with "authority to leave".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He lives on the ground floor and the package was easily accessible to passersby.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Your dealing with someone's family member... and you put instructions allowing them to be dropped on a doorstep?" Kristenson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We specifically asked for it to be hand-delivered."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Her brother, who did not want to be identified or speak on record, blames himself.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He said, 'I knew I should have gone and picked it up'," Kristenson added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Spiro said Sydney Memorial Cremations have used a courier service to deliver ashes to hundreds of families and have "never encountered this situation".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Its neither Deborah's or her brothers fault for this unfortunate predicament, as much as it is not ours or the couriers," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We remain committed to assist in whichever way we can to recover the ashes."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/how-to-fly-to-europe-from-australia-without-stopping-over-middle-east-explained/f9f0fe00-fa2d-48e8-853b-95e843c617ff" target="_blank"><strong><span>How can Aussie travellers get to Europe now major Middle East airports are shut?</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kristenson said she spoke with neighbours and was warned of a surge in package thefts in and around the complex.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A nearby resident sent her CCTV footage of a man appearing to take packages from the building the day before her mum's ashes were delivered.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW Police is investigating the incident.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A police spokesperson said no package thefts have been reported at that address. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sydney Memorial Cremations agreed to waive the courier fee and offered to donate $250 to a charity in Lorna's memory, but said there was nothing more they could do.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But Kristenson is aware none of this will bring her mother's ashes back.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"My brother and I do not want another family to ever have to go through this pain and loss ever again," Kristenson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I hope something positive can come of this."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kristenson has contacted the Cemeteries &amp; Crematoria NSW (CCNSW), which regulates cemetery and crematorium operators, for help.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.nine.com.au/?rf=true" rel="" target="_blank" title="Nine.com.au"><span>Nine.com.au</span></a><span> has contacted Aramex Australia for comment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank" title=""><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>