In a case that has sent shockwaves through the funeral industry and the local community, a Hull-based funeral director has been permanently barred from practising after a disciplinary panel uncovered a series of macabre and deeply unethical failures.
The professional standards committee heard how Wayne A. A. L. Broadbent, who operated the now-defunct A. A. L. Broadbent & Sons, kept the body of a baby boy in the living room of his own home for a staggering two years. The infant had tragically died shortly after birth.
In a further bizarre and distressing discovery, investigators found that Broadbent had placed a child's bouncer inside a coffin that was meant for the remains of an adult. This coffin was being stored in a garage, compounding the indignity.
The hearing was told that these actions caused immense and avoidable distress to the grieving families who had placed their trust in him during their most difficult moments. His failure to carry out the agreed funeral services left loved ones in a state of prolonged anguish.
A Catalogue of Failings
The investigation, which led to Broadbent being struck off, detailed a complete breakdown of professional conduct:
- Failure to act: Not carrying out funeral services that had been contracted and paid for.
- Improper storage: Keeping human remains in a domestic setting for an extended period.
- Misuse of a coffin: Storing an unrelated object in funeral equipment, showing a profound lack of respect.
The committee's chairman stated that Broadbent's actions had "brought the funeral profession into disrepute" and that his removal from the industry was essential to maintain public trust.
Police Investigation and Community Impact
Humberside Police were involved in the case, though no criminal charges were brought forward. The focus remained on the severe professional misconduct that violated every tenet of the funeral sector's code of practice.
The city of Hull has been left reeling by the revelations, which expose a terrifying breach of ethics at what should be a pillar of care and support for the bereaved. The case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of regulation and oversight in the sensitive funeral profession.
