Humberside Funeral Director Robert Bush Accused of Preventing Lawful Burials

A former Humberside funeral director has appeared in court accused of a multitude of business-related crimes spanning more than a decade.

Robert Bush, 47, of Otley, Leeds, appeared at Hull Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 25th June 2025.

Given the severity of the allegations, Bush did not enter a plea in relation to the following:

• 30 offences of preventing a lawful burial in relation to bodies found at the premises of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, Hull;
• 30 offences of fraud by false representation in relation to the same bodies;
• One offence of fraud by false representation in relation to ashes found at the premises;
• One offence of fraudulent trading in relation to the selling of funeral plans;
• 12 offences of theft in relation to funeral donations to various charities.

The prevention of a lawful burial offences are indictable, so can only be dealt with at the Crown Court. That is an offence contrary to common law, so has a (theoretical) maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

As was widely reported at the time, Humberside Police raided the premises of the now defunct Legacy Independent Funeral Directors back in March 2024. They recovered a number of bodies, ashes and personal belongings from the premises.

The police action came after concerns were raised about the conduct of the business, which was facing financial difficulties at the time.

After a lengthy police investigation Bush was finally charged with these offences at the start of April 2025.

District Judge Daniel Curtis granted Bush conditional bail until his next hearing at Hull Crown Court on Friday, 15th August 2025.