DEAR ABBY: When I read the letter in your column about the theft of some items from a grave, it brought back painful memories of a similar incident.
My brother passed away suddenly at the young age of 39. He was a devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan and had all kinds of Cardinal memorabilia. When his body was discovered, he was wearing his cherished Cardinals jacket. It was a gift from his employees -- and he treasured it.
Because of the suddenness of his death, an autopsy had to be performed before his body was released to the mortuary. We were told at the time that his personal possessions would all be returned with the body; however, the jacket was not returned to us.
When we inquired, we were told that no one had seen it since his body was picked up. We telephoned the police, the coroner's office and the funeral home that transported his body. No one had the jacket.
I was amazed that not only do people steal from cemeteries, they also steal from dead people. -- BROKENHEARTED IN MISSOURI
DEAR BROKENHEARTED: It seems bizarre that people would steal from the deceased, but it's nothing new. Grave robbers have existed for thousands of years. Archaeologists frequently find graves stripped of valuables when they are excavating. It's deplorable, but unfortunately, some people have no respect for the dead.