Widow pleads for burglars to return husband's ashes

A widow has been robbed of her husband's ashes and many valuable memories after a raid on her Melbourne home.

Burglars ransacked 61-year-old Jennifer's Sunshine home, stealing the ashes, a stuffed cat, an engagement ring, an antique watch and other sentimental items that cannot possibly be replaced.

Jennifer has pleaded with the culprits to return her late husband John's ashes, insisting she can not live without him.

"I just want John back," she said. "If I can get my watch back that would be a bonus, but I just want John back. It's very lonely without him."

Jennifer said she and John had been married for 32 years when he suffered a sudden and fatal heart attack in 2007.

"I had him buried and I couldn't bare to be without him, so I had him exhumed. I had him cremated and brought home with me.

"Then we had chats everyday," she said, choking back tears. "Unfortunately now I have no one to talk to, so I talk to the wall."

Jennifer has urged the bandits to come forward, condemning their actions as 'utterly disrespectful'.

"It really knocks the stuffing out of you, but I wont be defeated by them," she said.