Funeral sector to face regulation after Hull director jailed for 20 years

The funeral sector will face formal regulation after Robert Bush, a Hull funeral director, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for storing 31 bodies, including an unborn baby, and giving bereaved families the wrong ashes. The Department of Health and Social Care announced the move on 13 September 2024, following the sentencing at Hull Crown Court.

Bush, 48, was convicted of 30 counts of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body and one count of theft from 12 charities. The offences spanned 12 years at Legacy Funeral Directors, where bodies were left to decompose in unrefrigerated conditions. Relatives described the sentence as inadequate, with some calling it "atrocious".

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Families demand justice

Joanne Moody, whose father Peter Moody was among the 31 bodies found, said the 20-year sentence was "a joke". She told reporters outside the court that Bush would likely serve only half the term. "There’s no justice for any of us," she said. "We’re not going to get closure."

Michaela Baldwin, whose stepfather Danny Middleton’s body was also found at the site, said Bush should have received at least 30 years. "One for each body," she said. Over 200 victim impact statements were read in court, with many families breaking down as they described the betrayal they felt.

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“It’s a joke, he’s going to be out in 10 years. There’s no justice for any of us…we’re not going to get closure.”

Joanne Moody, daughter of Peter Moody

Bush’s offences revealed

The offences came to light in March 2024 when Bush was on holiday in Arizona. He asked directors from another funeral firm to check on a body at Legacy. A casual worker told them bodies had been stored at the site "for years". Police were called and found decomposing remains, including those of unborn baby Sunny Beverley-Conlin, in a paper bag on the floor.

The court heard that ashes were kept in mouldy boxes, strewn across the floor, and mixed up. Bush gave families the wrong ashes, sometimes collecting the correct ones from the crematorium days later. In one case, an urn given to a woman for her unborn baby contained what are believed to be animal remains.

Government responds with regulation

Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government would bring forward proposals to regulate the funeral sector. "In the wake of this horrific case, we will now ensure respect and dignity for the deceased in every setting," she said, as reported by *The Standard*. The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed the plans on 13 September 2024.

Mr Justice Hilliard, who sentenced Bush, said the prison term could not "put right the harm the defendant has done". He described Bush’s behaviour as "shocking and disgraceful", driven by a preoccupation with personal enrichment. Bush reused coffins, kept bodies in non-refrigerated conditions, and stole charity donations collected at services.

Financial motives uncovered

Bush told police he had debts of around £90,000 and was struggling with cash flow because "people did not always pay". Despite this, he spent £42,000 on holidays and £21,000 on motorcycle racing over seven years. The court heard he targeted customers on limited budgets, offering discounts and cheaper options to secure business.

One woman, who paid for her mother’s funeral through an online fundraiser, said Bush appeared helpful but exploited her grief. Another customer, Lucy Ness, was given the wrong ashes for her unborn baby. The urn was later found to contain what are thought to be animal remains.

What happens next

The Department of Health and Social Care will develop proposals for regulating the funeral sector. No timeline has been given for when the new rules will take effect. Families of Bush’s victims continue to call for stricter oversight and longer sentences for offences involving the deceased.