Robert Bush case at Hull Crown Court

Bush faces 65 offences including preventing lawful burial; the case was adjourned to October.

Robert Bush appears at Hull Crown Court

Robert Bush, 47, the former owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, appeared at Hull Crown Court today facing 65 offences arising from a police investigation into the company’s Hull premises. He was expected to enter pleas to the charges, but the defence was not ready, and the case was adjourned until October.

Investigators say ashes and bodies were removed from the Hessle Road premises during the inquiry, with 35 bodies and a large number of ashes recovered. Police later identified 163 families linked to the ashes. Legacy Independent Funeral Directors had branches in Hull and Beverley. The investigation began after a report on March 6, 2024, and has led to extensive enquiries surrounding the handling of deceased people and their remains.

The case draws attention to safeguarding in the funeral industry and how a single business can affect dozens of families. It also highlights the time needed for complex investigations and the justice system to weigh charges properly. If proven, the allegations could push regulators to re-examine industry standards and oversight. Public trust in how funerals are managed and how ashes are tracked will be tested as more details emerge during the October hearing.

Highlights

The next court date will reveal how the case anchors itself in the community’s memory.