Box of ashes from Fremantle Crematorium found at Eastern Beach in Geelong

It is still unknown how a box of 20-year-old ashes from Western Australia were found more than 3000km away at Eastern Beach earlier this week.

A box of ashes were found at Eastern Beach in Geelong on Monday morning.

Mystery still surrounds how a box of 20-year-old ashes from Western Australia ended up at a Geelong beach.

The cremated remains of Jozsef Pacza were found at Eastern Beach on Monday morning.

A sticker on the top of the box stated Mr Pacza died almost 20 years ago on September 27, 2005 and was cremated days later on October 5 at the Fremantle Crematorium.

Metropolitan Cemeteries Board (MCB), which operates the crematorium, confirmed it is aware the ashes have been found.

Chief executive Kathlene Oliver said Mr Pacza’s ashes were collected in October 2005 by the cremation permit holder.

“(MCB) has no information relating to where the ashes have been stored after they were collected or how the ashes have ended up in Geelong,” Ms Oliver said.

“We have provided the information we have relating to the cremation permit holder to Geelong police and are hopeful that the ashes can be returned to the family swiftly.”

A police spokesman confirmed Geelong officers had received the box of ashes and were continuing to try and find the owner.

Geelong local Zoe Wood was on a morning walk on Monday about 7.30am when she found the box sitting on a concrete pillar near the Eastern Beach Promenade.

She initially thought someone had left their rubbish behind but upon closer inspection, she discovered it was a box of ashes.

Some locals suspected the box had been emptied but Ms Wood said it was sealed and “definitely full of something”.

“It definitely sounded like ashes,” she said.

There were some suspicions the box may have floated across the ocean from Fremantle to Geelong.

“The sticker on top of the box was in tact and wasn’t damaged or weathered,” Ms Wood said.

“It has clearly been maintained somewhere.

“I hope they are able to find the next of kin.

“If they can’t, they may have to ship the box back over the Western Australia.”

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestoppers.com.au.

Originally published as Box of ashes from Fremantle Crematorium found at Eastern Beach in Geelong