AN URBAN EXPLORER was left horrified after stumbling across an abandoned funeral home – that still had human remains inside.
Wayne Masefield said he was saddened to make the shock discovery while exploring the disused funeral directors near Newport, South Wales on Wednesday.
The 47-year-old found bags of human ashes that had not been returned to the families of those who had been cremated.
Each bag had a label with each deceased person’s name attached on them.
Security worker Wayne and fellow explorer indagatrixx also found a brown plastic container had the name of the woman who was cremated in May of 1995.
Images show bags of grey ash discarded onto one of the racks which would have been used to store bodies.
Disused urns and a white stone washing table which would have been used to embalm the deceased were also left at the abandoned building.
The former funeral home was owned and operated by Lyndon Bassett, who sadly passed away in 2011.
Before he passed, his funeral service was taken over by fellow funeral directors Arthur Peake.
Speaking today, Kerrie Peake, who works at the directors, said: “We weren’t aware of that – we didn’t know anything about this.
“The problem is that families don’t come back and collect them sadly.
“Most directors probably have remains going back years. It is unfortunate.”
Speaking today, Wayne said: “I was taking my photographs and footage and came across the old freezer.
“I opened the door and pulled out one of the shelves to get a better photo and saw bags of remains on both the top shelf and bottom shelf.
“I was quite shocked when I saw a plastic tub with a label from 1995 with the deceased person’s name, date and funeral director who carried out the cremation.”
Wayne continued: “It was quite eerie looking at all the stuff around, knowing what they’re used for.
“I got a little upset if I’m honest, because of personal circumstances, I felt sad that these remains have just been forgotten about.
“The local authorities are being made aware of the remains and hopefully they can either trace family members or remove and scatter or bury them, so either way they will be laid to rest.”
Followers of Wayne’s urban exploring page could not believe their eyes at the discovery, leaving comments explaining their sadness over the forgotten ashes.
Sarah Gonzales said: “This is so very heartbreaking.”
Terrie Teresa commented: “Very sad that they have been left.”
And Jockster DH posted: “They need to be laid to rest properly. Very sad.”
Wayne documents his urban exploration on his YouTube page which can be found here.
