Funeral director Robert Bush jailed for 20 years after keeping 31 bodies

Herz — World Desk · 31 July 2026 at 16:12 · 30s summary · 2 min read

What happened

Robert Bush, a 48-year-old funeral director in north-east England, was sentenced on Friday to 20 years in prison. According to 24 heures, he kept bodies instead of cremating them and gave families ashes belonging to strangers.

The offences, including the diversion of charitable donations, continued for 12 years. Bush had pleaded guilty before he was sentenced.

Hull Crown Court heard evidence from more than 200 bereaved relatives over five days before Judge Nicholas Hilliard delivered the sentence.

Police found 31 bodies

Following a report, police searched the premises in March 2024. They found 31 bodies in a cold room and urns containing the ashes of about 100 people.

The 31 bodies should have been cremated months earlier. One was that of a stillborn baby who had died two years before the search.

Most of the bodies were uncovered on shelves lining the cold room. The ashes were also being stored in conditions the judge described as undignified.

appalling conditions

— Judge Nicholas Hilliard

Judge Hilliard said some of the bodies entrusted to Legacy Independent Funeral Directors were at an advanced stage of decomposition.

About 30 charges

Bush pleaded guilty to about 30 charges, including preventing a decent burial and stealing money intended for charities.

He had diverted donations given by families for 12 charities.

During his first police interview, Bush blamed cash-flow problems. The judge found, however, that he had sought to enrich himself at his clients’ expense.

pure financial greed

— Judge Nicholas Hilliard

Timeline

1. March 2024
   Following a report, police find 31 bodies and the ashes of about 100 people.
2. March 2025
   A code of practice for the funeral sector is introduced in Scotland.