A burial at Arlington National Cemetery Friday had all the trimmings of a proper military funeral except one thing, the soldier’s remains.

It's theft in front of the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. has left the family distraught.

The urn containing the remains of bronze star and two purple hearts winner Army Colonel Norbert Otto Schmidt was taken from his family’s SUV just before the funeral.

The thieves also stole a computer and other items from the vehicle.

The ceremony had to be moved to a different part of the cemetery but the gravestone will be moved to its proper place if the urn is found.

Norbert Schmidt always wanted to be buried in Arlington so he could be alongside fellow soldiers he fought with in the Korean War.

His family is hoping the thieves will return his remains.