Legacy funeral director jailed 20 years after Hull scandal

Robert Bush, the former owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, was jailed for 20 years at Hull Crown Court after admitting 67 offences spanning 12 years, including fraud by false representation, preventing lawful and decent burial, theft and stealing from charities.

The case began in March 2024 when Humberside Police acted on a tip-off and raided the firm’s Hessle Road premises in Hull, East Yorkshire. Officers found 35 bodies in varying states of decomposition and recovered more than 100 sets of ashes, while police later contacted 163 families about the return of ashes linked to the business. For dozens of bereaved households, the shock was not only that funeral arrangements had gone wrong, but that some people had been given ashes that did not belong to the relative they had lost.

Mr Justice Hilliard said Bush had caused anguish and pain on a scale beyond comprehension and described the betrayal as being on an industrial scale. He also praised the police investigation in unusual and challenging circumstances. During the five-day sentencing hearing, more than 100 victims were due to provide impact statements.

Families outside court said no sentence could ever be enough and described feeling really, really let down after discovering that some cremations and burials had not taken place when they believed they had. Emma Hardy, the MP whose constituency covers Hull West and Hessle, said Bush’s actions had shaken the community and caused immense distress. The Crown Prosecution Service said it would target Bush’s assets after conviction.