Humberside Police arrested Robert Bush after discovering 35 bodies stored at his Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull. During questioning, he laughed about the absence of regulation in the funeral industry. When asked about his governing body, Bush scoffed that he had not been inspected since the COVID-19 pandemic, stating: “I know! We are a highly unregulated industry.”
He explained that membership in the National Association of Funeral Directors only involves checks for items like cushions and leaflets, adding: “If you didn’t come up to scratch, there wasn’t a penalty, you were just not in their association any more.”
Bush’s Denials and Blame on Debt
Bush claimed his crimes stemmed from debt and denied living a luxury lifestyle, despite owning multiple superbikes and taking holidays. He told police: “I wouldn’t say we had an exorbitant lifestyle, we tried to still live but generally the biggest problem was having branches I couldn’t afford.”
He admitted storing bodies due to cash flow problems, saying: “They weren’t meant to stay with me forever.” He expressed remorse but blamed poor choices: “I never intended for any of this… It’s always been financial problems. Debt has led to this.”
Arrest and Reaction
Bush was arrested at Heathrow Airport in March 2024 while on a plane returning from Arizona, where he had watched motorcycling races. He protested his treatment, comparing himself to Che Guevara: “It’s like I’m Che Guevara or something. I’m not that complicated.”
During a subsequent arrest in July 2024, he appeared frustrated, telling officers: “I’ve been compliant from the off. I’ve been here all this f**king time.” His solicitor read a statement denying any intentional prevention of lawful burial.
Impact on Families
Families whose loved ones were left at the funeral home for up to two years, or given fake or no ashes, have called for urgent regulation. They report suffering PTSD, nightmares, and suicidal thoughts. Bush has pleaded guilty to 67 offences and is due to be sentenced on Friday.
