A significant legal development has emerged following an extensive investigation into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, leading to the charges against Robert Bush, a 47-year-old former director of the firm. Hull magistrates are scheduled to hear the case on June 25, 2025. Bush has been charged with a total of 64 offences, encompassing serious allegations including fraud and prevention of lawful burial.
The investigation commenced on March 6, 2024, in response to concerns regarding the care of deceased individuals at the funeral home, located on Hessle Road. Humberside Police conducted a comprehensive 10-month inquiry, which culminated in the discovery of 35 bodies and what are believed to be human ashes at the premises.
Deputy Chief Constable Dave Marshall outlined the scope of the allegations in a press briefing, stating that Bush faces 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial and another 30 counts of fraud by false representation. These charges involve actions taken in relation to the deceased recovered from the premises between April 20, 2023, and March 6, 2024. The police report indicates that the victims include 254 individuals, with particular groups affected by fraudulent funeral plans and compromised remains.
In addition, Bush has been charged with one count of fraudulent trading concerning funeral arrangements that involved 172 victims over an 11-year period (from May 2012 to March 2024) and one count of fraud related to human ashes, involving 50 victims from August 2017 to March 2024. He is also accused of two counts of theft from charities between September 2022 and March 2024.
Following the investigation, a significant number of families have expressed distress over the handling of their loved ones' remains. Many were notified that they might have received the wrong ashes, igniting concerns about the authenticity of the remains returned to them. For example, the family of 78-year-old Susan Stone reported that her body remained at the funeral home for seven weeks post-death, leading to feelings of anger and betrayal among relatives. Her son remarked on the condition of her body, having been left without proper storage.
As police began messaging families of the deceased in January to update them on the investigation's progress, they acknowledged the challenges families face in reconciling their losses under these troubling circumstances. Notably, due to the high heat regulations applied during cremation processes, police advised that DNA profiling from the recovered ashes was not feasible, complicating identification efforts for families seeking closure.
A second individual, a 55-year-old woman arrested in relation to the investigation in July 2024, has since been released without further charges.
As the case moves toward court proceedings, Deputy Chief Constable Marshall appealed to the public for restraint in speculation and commentary that could influence the ongoing legal process. The police also encouraged affected families to seek support from Victim Support and other resources to manage their emotional distress while investigations continue. The police stated their utmost priority remains the well-being of families impacted by the case, vowing to respect their privacy throughout this difficult period.
Source: Noah Wire Services