- Robert Bush, the owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Services, has been jailed for 20 years for leaving dozens of bodies, including a miscarried baby, rotting in his mortuary and giving bereaved families the wrong ashes.
- Over a 12-year period, Bush committed 67 offences including preventing a lawful and decent burial and fraud, affecting hundreds of families.
- In March 2024, police found more than 35 bodies and over 100 sets of ashes at his Hessle Road premises.
- Bush pleaded guilty in April to 30 counts of preventing a burial, more than 30 fraud charges, and theft.
- After a five-day sentencing hearing at Hull crown court, Bush was jailed for 20 years.
- The court heard that bodies had been found uncovered and laying on racks in varying states of decomposition, with damp and mould spreading to coffins and ash boxes.
- Bush stole money from funeral services intended for 12 separate charities, including Macmillan Cancer Support and the Salvation Army.
- He sold false funeral plans to 226 people over nearly 12 years, totaling in value to £562,117.
- Bush spent more than £42,000 on holidays, including a trip to Arizona, and over £17,000 on home improvements between 2017 and 2024.
Robert Bush, owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Services, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to 67 offences over a span of 12 years. His actions left over 35 bodies and 100 sets of ashes in horrific conditions, shocking families who trusted him with their loved ones.1235
During a five-day hearing at Hull Crown Court, victims described their horror upon discovering that their deceased relatives had been left to decompose in his mortuary. Bodies were found uncovered, with damp and mould spreading to coffins, and bodily fluids left on the floor. One victim, David Gorbutt, expressed feeling “abused” after learning he received a stranger’s ashes instead of his late wife’s.6
Bush's fraudulent activities included selling 158 funeral plans to 226 victims, defrauding them of £562,117. He spent the money on personal luxuries, including a £3,000 holiday in Arizona. The court heard that he had no regard for the deceased or their families, motivated solely by greed.8
The judge noted that Bush had the means to provide proper care for the bodies but chose to neglect his responsibilities. Following his arrest, he admitted, “I fucked it all up, everything, my whole world.” The case has sparked calls for reform in the funeral industry, highlighting the lack of legal obligations for funeral businesses.
“Robert Bush pleaded guilty to 67 offences spanning 12 years, including 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial, as more than 80 victims recounted their horror. Police found over 35 bodies and more than 100 sets of ashes at his Hessle Road premises, with the total defrauded reaching £562,117.”
theguardian.com
