It was an ordinary-looking mason jar, but the contents were anything but.
Instead of canning food, it contained a grey powder and someone had scrawled “DADS ASHES 2011” with a permanent market on the lid.
Someone dropped it off at the Penny Pinchers Store on 56 Avenue last month.
Staff at the thrift store, which sells donated goods to raise money for the Langley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, called the RCMP.
A search of police databases failed to uncover any reported thefts of ashes, Cpl. Holly Marks said.
"There is a possibility the ashes have been mistakenly donated," Mark said.
Either way, the Langley RCMP would like to return them to the family.
The contents have not been tested to confirm they are human remains, Marks added.
Anyone with any information about the unexpected donation is asked to call Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200.