A funeral director has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and condemned as a heartless and selfish individual by the families he affected. The families are now calling for a public inquiry into the funeral industry following revelations that Robert Bush stored bodies and a fetus for up to two years. Bush, a father of two, was convicted of 67 offenses over 12 years, impacting numerous victims in Hull and beyond.
Victims had sought Bush’s services in times of vulnerability, but despite his business generating over £3 million, he resorted to cost-cutting measures by providing a bag of mixed ashes to grieving families. One mother received a mix of animal and human ashes instead of her miscarried baby’s remains.
During a police raid at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, authorities discovered a disturbing scene with 35 bodies and a room full of ashes, some in a state of decay. Bush, 48, from Otley, West Yorkshire, maintained a stoic demeanor during sentencing as families listened with somber expressions, some in tears.
A relative, Natalie Smith, shared her distress over her grandfather being kept at Legacy for 11 months, describing Bush as a pariah. Reflecting on the court verdict, she expressed some satisfaction that Bush received a longer sentence than expected, acknowledging the loss of his luxurious lifestyle and hoping he now feels the vulnerability his victims endured.
Smith criticized Bush for preying on vulnerable individuals and highlighted the need for a broader investigation into the funeral industry to prevent future occurrences. The judge emphasized the widespread impact of Bush’s actions, remarking on the heartless treatment of both the living and deceased under his care.
Detective Superintendent Alan Curtis revealed that Bush had mixed ashes and used them deceptively, indicating a lack of remorse or explanation for his actions. The investigation, involving over 300 identified victims and coordination with international authorities, has been described as one of the largest in Humberside Police history.
Families affected by Bush’s crimes expressed their ongoing pain and called for stricter regulations within the funeral industry to ensure dignity in death. Despite the sentencing, they emphasized that no punishment could fully compensate for the harm caused by Bush’s callous and deceitful behavior.
