Issued by Humberside Police (Guilty plea in Legacy Independent Funeral Directors investigation | Humberside Police)
Following an incredibly heartbreaking and complex sixteen-month investigation into what began as concern for care of the deceased at a funeral directors in Hull, Robert Bush has today pleaded guilty to the remaining 31 offences that he was charged with, taking the total number of offences to 67.
Robert Bush, 48-years-old, formerly of Kirk Ella, East Yorkshire, previously appeared at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday, 15 October where he entered guilty pleas for 34 charges and not guilty pleas for the remaining 31 charges.
Appearing at Hull Crown Court today (Thursday, 2 April) Bush was read the list of the remaining 31 charges against him before pleading guilty to all of them, detailed below as read out in court:
- 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial in relation to the recovery of the deceased from the premise on Hessle Road between April 2023 and March 2024
- One count of theft from charities between 1 September, 2017 and 6 March, 2023
Bush had previously pleaded guilty to the below charges, as read out in court:
- 30 counts of fraud by false representation in relation to the deceased recovered at the Hessle Road premise who should have been cremated, and their families advised they had been and provided with ashes between April 2023 and March 2024
- Four counts of fraud by false representation in relation to ashes provided to families following loss in pregnancy, with one of the unborn being recovered from the premises. These families were provided with ashes between August 2017 and March 2024
- One count of fraud by false representation in relation to either families provided with ashes of their loved ones, with ashes identified as their loved one later found at the premise, or families not receiving any ashes at all between August 2017 and March 2024
- One count of fraudulent trading in relation to funeral plans between 23 May, 2012 and 6 March, 2024
A report was received on Wednesday, 6 March 2024, of concern for the care of the deceased at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors at the Hessle Road premise in Hull.
Officers attended and over the next few days, 35 bodies were transported from the premise to the mortuary, where a formal identification process commenced.
It was determined that, of the 35 deceased, only four should have been in situ at the premise, with others being identified as having been there much longer than necessary.
A support line was provided to allow anyone affected or with concerns to speak with police, with over 1500 calls being received in the first week alone.
Forensic teams also recovered large quantities of what was believed to be human ashes from the Hessle Road premise, some with name labels and letters attached to the box.
It soon became apparent as the investigation progressed, that the families of those with name labels or letters providing some form of identification had already received ashes.
In the weeks that followed, forensic scientists and specialists assisted with analysis to try and determine whether it was possible to extract DNA from the human ashes in order to identify them.
The expert opinion provided assurance that the proper crematorium process had been followed, however, given the high temperature required to carry out a cremation, the DNA had been broken down and degraded to such a level that recovering a meaningful DNA profile was not possible and it was not possible to identify any of the human ashes.
Further enquiries established some people were still waiting to receive ashes as they had been told by Bush the cremation had taken place. These ashes were never identified or located at the premises.
As the investigation continued further enquiries were made and leads followed up, resulting in detectives uncovering Bush’s fraudulent trading in relation to funeral plans, where he would take payment for the plans, but not pass any of the money on to the financial institutions who would hold it for when the funeral was required.
In addition, theft from charities was uncovered whereby a family member had passed donations collected at funerals to Bush, to send on to their chosen charity, which he failed to do.
Bush was arrested at London Heathrow Airport on his return from America on Sunday, 10 March 2024. On Monday, 20 January 2025, a comprehensive file of evidence, comprising of over 13,000 exhibits, was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for their detailed consideration, which resulted in Bush being charged on Wednesday, 2 April 2025.
He was bailed to appear at Hull Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, and further bailed until his hearing at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday, 13 August 2025. The case was postponed after the August hearing until Wednesday, 15 October 2025, where he entered mixed pleas, admitting 36 offences but pleading not guilty to the further 31 charges.
A trial date was set for Monday, 5 October 2026, however an additional hearing was then scheduled for today, Thursday, 2 April 2026, where Bush pleaded guilty to the remaining 31 charges.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Alan Curtis said: “The utter devastation and emotional harm Robert Bush has caused to hundreds of victims and families cannot be underestimated.
“They trusted he would look after those who meant the most to them, and that he would treat their loved ones with dignity, respect and in accordance with their wishes. This did not happen.
“Thirty-one families believed that their loved one had been cremated, when in fact they remained on site within the Legacy premises on Hessle Road. Most had been given ashes and had been advised that their loved ones’ cremation had taken place.
“Other families, who had chosen cremations through Legacy, were left waiting for ashes that have never been provided, or were deceived by Bush and given ashes that we now know were not their loved ones.
“The distress and devastation that this has caused for those families is simply unimaginable.
“People paid Bush for funeral plans, so in the future their families didn’t have to worry about costs and arrangements for their own funerals. He betrayed this trust, leaving some victims with the uncertainty around their own funeral arrangements and without the means to pay for them.
“The damage he has caused to families across our communities is quite possibly irreparable, with so many victims who have suffered and continue to do so. Losing a family member or friend you love, and care deeply about can be one of the most traumatic experiences anyone can go through, and Robert Bush took advantage of this.
“He was trusted by people at a time they needed him most. He exploited them, taking their money without any consideration or thought given, and not delivering on his promise to provide the service and care he was paid to do.
“Whilst he has admitted his guilt and ensured families and victims will not have to go through the ordeal of a criminal trial, the harm and pain he has already inflicted can never be undone.
“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all my colleagues who were involved in this case, as well as the Major Crime Team, for their unwavering dedication and hard work in building a strong case against Robert Bush. Your commitment and resilience have been truly commendable, and I’m deeply grateful for the effort and care you have shown throughout this enquiry.
“The families and all those affected in this case have always remained at the heart of our investigation from the very beginning. Their understanding, support and contribution throughout the duration of the enquiry has been truly invaluable, and without them, we simply could not have achieved the outcome we have today.
“They have demonstrated extraordinary strength, resilience and courage in this case of unimaginable circumstances, and I want to offer my sincerest thanks and appreciation to them all.
“Our thoughts are with them today as it is with their loved ones, and everyone connected with the case.”
Humberside Police Assistant Chief Constable Andy Walker said: “This has been an extremely complex and sensitive investigation, with heartbroken and devastated families at the core of it.
“The selfish and deplorable actions of Robert Bush have deeply affected so many people, and we have always been determined to make sure that we kept those affected involved and at the heart of everything we have done, every step of the way.
“I want to take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt thanks to everybody involved, families for their patience and understanding as we progressed the case, officers and staff for their commitment to ensure Robert Bush was held to account and our partner organisations, who have been crucial in providing support and care to those in need.”
Julie Butcher, Victim Support Humberside Area Manager said: “We understand the significance of today’s news for everyone affected by the Legacy Funeral Home incident. Victim Support continues to offer free support and advice to anyone impacted.
“As an independent charity, our services are completely confidential and we can help with a wide range of questions and support needs. Get in touch via our website or call us on 0808 28 111 36 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can also visit affectedbycrime.com to find out further information.”
Police and Crime Commissioner, Jonathan Evison said: “I know that the news today will be felt significantly right across our region, and my thoughts remain with the many people who have been affected by this incident. We will continue to work with partners, including our commissioned provider, Victim Support, to maintain support to people through this difficult time.”
Laura Tams, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Robert Bush has pleaded guilty to a number of charges in connection with the operation of the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors premises in Hull.
“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, returning wrong ashes to grieving relatives, fraudulent trading of funeral plans, and the theft of charitable donations made in memory of the deceased.
“The impact on the families and wider community has been profound. At their most vulnerable time, when seeking dignity and closure for their loved ones, these families were subjected to appalling violations of trust.
“I want to take this opportunity to share my deepest condolences to all those who have been affected. Learning that their relatives’ remains had not received proper care, and that some received the wrong ashes, has caused immeasurable additional grief and trauma.
“This has been an extraordinarily complex and challenging case for our specialist prosecution team. Working closely with Humberside Police, we were able to review extensive evidence at pace to authorise these charges and build a comprehensive case that reflects the scale and severity of these offences. The defendant’s decision to enter guilty pleas today acknowledges the strength of the prosecution’s case.
“While nothing can undo the harm caused to these families, today’s guilty pleas represent an important step towards justice for all those who have suffered from these deplorable actions.”
Hull City Council’s Executive Director of Adult Social Care & Health, Tracy Meyerhoff, said: “The impact of this unprecedented incident has been felt right across Hull and in the wider East Yorkshire area, and our thoughts are with the many people who have been affected by this dreadful situation.
“We will continue to support the many people who are victims, who we hope can find some comfort from our memorial garden at Northern Cemetery.
“We will also continue to work with those calling for regulation of funeral directors, to help ensure this can never happen again.”
East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s recovery lead and director of housing, transportation and public protection, Angela Dearing said: “Today’s court hearing follows what has undoubtably been a lengthy, distressing and intense time over the past two years – for those affected, their families and also for our colleagues working across the recovery and bereavement teams.
“We know the impact of this incident will not end today – and collectively we would like to reassure our communities that both councils continue to work with partners to provide ongoing support and advice to those impacted by this incident.
“As part of this support, we are pleased that our ‘Butterfly Grove’ memorial garden at Lelley Fields Crematorium is open and can provide a special place to remember loved ones as it establishes throughout the summer months, with plaques now in place.”