Funeral director who left people unburied breached families' trust 'on industrial scale', court hears
BBC News 2026-07-27 16:46:19
Context: Robert Bush, the 48-year-old owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, breached the trust of hundreds of bereaved families "on an almost industrial scale" by failing to bury people, giving out wrong ashes, and stealing from charities. A five-day sentencing hearing at Hull Crown Court heard details of the "horror scene" at Bush's funeral parlour, where 35 bodies and over 100 sets of ashes were found by police in March 2024. Bush previously admitted 67 offences, including 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial and theft from 12 charities.
Key Facts
- Robert Bush, 48, of Otley, West Yorkshire, was found to have 35 bodies and over 100 sets of ashes at his funeral parlour in Hull, with most of the bodies being of older people above the age of 60.
- The bodies were discovered "on the racks" of a cold storage area, with one found on a stretcher on the floor, and were "uncovered and in varying states of decomposition", including one of a stillborn baby.
- Bush's offending was discovered by chance when he asked two funeral directors from another firm to remove a body from a care home while he was on holiday in the US, and they became suspicious after being told by a casual worker that there were many bodies at the site.
- The funeral home was described as "dirty and unkempt", with flowers, teddies, and cards strewn on the floor, and Bush told police that he had deceived everyone, including his daughter, who was travelling with him when he was arrested at Heathrow Airport.
- Between March 2017 and April 2024, more than £3m was paid into Bush's accounts, and he transferred over £879,000 to his wife, who was on the "payroll for tax purposes", while also telling police that he had debts of about £90,000.