A man has been left emotionally drained "at the highest level" after Parcelforce lost a £5,500 package containing his grandfather's ashes - and now won't fully compensate him.
In fact the parcel delivery company has offered just £150 compensation - 3% of the total value of the package.
Francis Price, 32, works in telecoms in Bezier, France, having lived and worked there on and off for about ten years.
Earlier this year his mother sent him a parcel from Britain to France containing two Samsung laptops and two Samsung phones, for work purposes.
But as a surprise she also included a ring containing his grandfather's ashes.
The ring was made to order by a company specialising in making keepsakes to remember loved ones who have passed away.
The ashes are sealed into a special compartment inside the ring, then sealed up. The idea is that when you wear the ring you are always close to that person in spirit.
The total value of the parcel was £5,482.
But the package never made it to Price's home. After a couple of weeks Price realised what had happened and contacted Parcelforce over the issue.
Parcelforce, part of the Royal Mail Group, then launched an investigation into the loss of the package.
Price said this took three months, and he had to keep chasing the company, which at points blamed Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic for the missing goods.
But despite the investigation Parcelforce was unable to find the package or any of its contents.
Price was then told to put in a claim for the lost parcel.
After another month, Price was sent a cheque for £149.50 last week - just 3% of the total value of the parcel.
But the real issue is not the financial cost of the missing electronics but the emotional loss of his grandfather's ashes.
"This ring is irreplaceable," Price said. "I am absolutely appalled by this, not only emotionally drained but stressed at the highest level."
He ideally wants Parcelforce to find the missing parcel, or otherwise at least pay him the value of the contents.
The Mirror approached Parcelforce asking them to track down the parcel or else pay Price more money.
Parcelforce is still looking.
But a spokesperson said: "Every item we handle is important to us and we always strive to provide the best possible service to all of our customers. We are liaising with our international counterparts to do all we can to locate the items.
"This is a rare occurrence. All of our employees are regularly reminded of the high standards expected of them. If the item is lost, we will be making a gesture of goodwill, alongside compensation, for the loss of this item and the distress caused."
According to customs rules the parcel had a label on the outside listing the value of its contents, which could have been what attracted a thief.
