Man pleads guilty to 67 offences, including fraud and burial breaches
A funeral director has pleaded guilty to 67 criminal offences following an investigation into the handling of human remains and financial misconduct at premises in Hull.
Robert Bush, 47, admitted the charges on 2 April 2026 in a case prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service after an investigation by Humberside Police. The offences include preventing lawful and decent burial, fraud, fraudulent trading, and theft.
The charges relate to his operation of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull. According to prosecutors, Bush accepted payments from families for funeral services, including cremations, which were not carried out as represented.
In March 2024, police attended the premises following concerns about the care of the deceased. Officers discovered bodies at the site that had been presented to families as having already been cremated.
The investigation found that in a number of cases, families who had requested cremation were provided with ashes that were not those of their relatives. Other families were left waiting for ashes that were never delivered.
Financial misconduct also formed part of the case. Bush admitted to taking payments for funeral plans and retaining the funds. He also pleaded guilty to the theft of charitable donations that families had asked to be passed on in memory of deceased individuals. Twelve charities confirmed they did not receive the funds.
The Crown Prosecution Service stated that the case involved extensive evidence, including material recovered from the premises, financial records, CCTV footage, and victim statements.
Investigators reported that multiple families were affected. In some instances, relatives believed cremations had taken place when remains were still held at the premises. The case also involved individuals who had arranged prepaid funeral plans, leaving uncertainty over future arrangements.
Bush pleaded guilty to multiple counts across several categories, including 30 counts of preventing lawful burial and 30 counts of fraud by false representation relating to the handling of bodies. Additional charges relate to fraudulent trading, theft and misrepresentation concerning ashes.
The case will now proceed to sentencing at Hull Crown Court, which is scheduled for 27 July 2026.
The proceedings follow a detailed investigation into activities at the funeral directors, with authorities continuing to support those affected.