A post-mortem is scheduled for Tuesday morning on the remains found Sunday in a rural area near Orangeville, Ont., where a woman has been missing for a week.

Police have said it is too early to link the remains to the disappearance of Sonia Varaschin, a 42-year-old nurse who was reported missing when she didn't show up for work early last week.

However, investigators said on Sunday they have spoken to Varaschin's family about the discovery.

Police were called to the wooded area 12 kilometres southeast of Orangeville on Sunday morning at around 9 a.m., when someone walking their dog in the area made the discovery.

The Ontario Provincial Police, which are investigating both Varaschin's disappearance and the discovery of remains, say the victim's name will not be released until after the autopsy is complete.

Police would not say whether the remains were that of a man or a woman.

"The coroner has attended the scene and has confirmed that the remains are human. A post-mortem examination will be conducted at the office of the chief coroner at a later date and time," said Ontario Provincial Police Const. Jonathan Beckett on Sunday.

Around noon Sunday a medical examiner arrived at the scene. About 10 hours after the remains were discovered they were removed from the isolated, wooded area.

Varaschin was reported missing a week ago when she failed to turn up to work. Soon after, police found blood in both the townhouse where she lived alone, and in her car.

Investigators eventually said they suspected Varaschin had met with foul play.

Police have been searching for blood-stained sheets they believe were removed from Varaschin's home, and have asked for help from the public

Varaschin worked at a pharmaceutical company in Mississauga, but she had previously worked as a nurse.

Her family has asked for privacy during the investigation, and they did not comment on the discovery Sunday.