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Funeral sector to be reviewed after Legacy scandal

BBC A woman is holding a large picture of an elderly relative next to a man in a black hoodie with the words Regulations and Justice for Jessie written on them. Next to those two is MP Emma Hardy, wearing a blue suit and leopard-print scarfBBC
From left, Claire Stockdale, Tristan Essex and Emma Hardy MP deliver a letter to Downing Street demanding urgent regulation of the funeral industry following the Legacy Funeral Directors scandal in Hull

The government has confirmed it is reviewing the funeral sector and looking at options for regulations.

It comes after a family affected by a major investigation into a Hull funeral home met ministers on Wednesday for urgent regulation of the industry.

Tristan Essex and his sister Claire Stockdale were “absolutely heartbroken” to discover the body of their grandmother, Jessie Stockdale, was found at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors five months after they had attended her funeral and received ashes.

In a statement, the Ministry of Justice said every family "rightly expects their loved ones to be treated with dignity and respect" and added it would "set out next steps in due course".

Humberside Police removed 35 bodies and a quantity of ashes from Legacy Independent Funeral Directors' premises on Hessle Road following a report of "concern for care of the deceased" on 6 March.

Among them was the body of Mrs Stockdale, whose grandchildren delivered a letter to 10 Downing Street demanding regulation change and met junior justice minister Alex Davies-Jones MP.

Four people sat around a table in a grand old room. Claire and Tristan are both wearing black hoodies with regulations justice for Jessie written on them. Next to Tristan is Alex Davies Jones, who has blonde hair and is wearing a black suit with purple top. Emma Hardy is sat wearing a dark blue suit and has her hands on the desk
From left, Claire Stockdale, Tristan Essex, Alex Davies Jones MP and Emma Hardy discussing regulation of the funeral industry in parliament on Wednesday

A government spokesperson said: “We are currently reviewing the funeral sector to ensure the highest standards are always met, including looking at options for regulation, and will set out next steps in due course.”

They said it was considering options for "what a regulatory structure for funeral directors could look like".

The MoJ also said it was "thoroughly reviewing the recommendations" set in an independent report published last month into necrophiliac killer David Fuller who filmed himself abusing at least 100 female bodies at two Kent hospital mortuaries over 12 years.

Detectives were continuing investigations into Legacy.

A 46-year-old man, who was arrested on 9 March on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position, remains on conditional bail.

A 54-year-old woman, who was arrested in July on suspicion of money laundering offences, also remains on bail.

Victim Support has a telephone support line for anyone affected by the investigation.

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