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Former Hull-based funeral director Robert Bush has pleaded guilty to 67 charges earlier this month, which related to the prevention of lawful burials and the defrauding of grieving families in East Yorkshire.
Bush admitted the offences at court following an investigation into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors. The counts include fraudulent trading, theft and the prevention of lawful and decent burials after remains were discovered at the firm’s premises in 2024.
The case followed a report of concern regarding the care of the deceased at the Hessle Road site in Hull. Police recovered bodies which families believed had already been cremated, while other relatives were found to have been issued with the incorrect ashes.
Bush also admitted to the theft of charitable donations and the fraudulent sale of funeral plans. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed he retained money intended for 12 different charities and failed to secure the funeral arrangements for which clients had paid.
Bush, formerly of Kirk Ella, is due to be sentenced on 27 July. Assistant chief constable Andy Walker noted that the investigation remained focused on the families affected by what he described as “selfish and deplorable actions”.
Deputy chief crown prosecutor, Laura Tams, said: “These charges represent some of the most serious breaches of trust possible in the funeral industry. They include preventing the lawful and decent burial of bodies, defrauding families who paid for services never provided, and returning wrong ashes to grieving relatives.”
The prosecution stated that the defendant told families he would care for their relatives according to standard industry practices, often claiming cremations had occurred shortly after funeral services. Financial records and CCTV footage were used to build the case against him.
Detective superintendent, Alan Curtis, added: “The utter devastation and emotional harm Robert Bush has caused to hundreds of victims and families cannot be underestimated. Thirty-one families believed that their loved one had been cremated, when in fact they remained on site within the Legacy premises.”
