Funeral director appears in court charged over human remains found at premises
Robert Bush, 47, appeared at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday to face 30 counts of preventing a lawful burial plus a range of other charges relating to bodies found at one of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors' sites in Hull.
Bush stood in the glass fronted dock and spoke only to confirm his name and personal details.
No pleas were entered.
The bearded defendant, formerly of Kirk Ella, East Yorkshire, but now of Otley, West Yorkshire, wore a grey three-piece suit with a white shirt and a patterned tie for the 15-minute hearing, and was flanked in the dock by one security officer.
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As well as the counts of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body relating to 30 different people, Bush is also charged with 33 counts of fraud by false representation, one count of fraudulent trading relating to funeral plans, and one of theft from a range of charities.
Most of the fraud by false representation charges relate to the proper care of remains and the return of ashes.
Bush was bailed to appear for a plea hearing on October 15.
He left the court building flanked by police officers, wearing a hat and covering his face with a black scarf. Robert Bush arrives at Hull Crown Court, where he is charged with 30 counts of preventing a lawful burial and 30 counts of fraud by false representation relating to bodies found at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors. Picture date: Wednesday August 13, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Humberside Police launched a probe into the funeral home after a report of "concern for care of the deceased" in March last year.
A month after the investigation started the force said it had received more than 2,000 calls on a dedicated phone line from families concerned about their loved ones' ashes.
Bush was charged in April, after what officers said was a "complex, protracted and highly sensitive 10-month investigation" into the firm's three sites in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.
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