Families hold second funerals after bodies recovered amid undertakers 'fraud'

02 May 2024 , 14:46

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Families will hold second funerals for loved ones whose bodies were recovered from a Hull undertakers at the centre of a police probe (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Families are holding second funerals for some of the people whose bodies were recovered from undertakers at the heart of a police probe.

Loved ones of the 35 families whose loved ones were discovered at Legacy Independent funeral directors in Hull, have been desperate to finally give them peace. Now some say DNA tests have confirmed their identities and are planning their funerals.

Tristan Essex, 24, from Hull said he was "hugely relieved" to be finally planning a second funeral for his gran Jessie Stockdale. Mr Essex told the BBC his grandmother would be "crying her eyes out to know that the people of Hull are trying to help us. We’ve waited six weeks and three days. It’s so heart-warming to know people are making an effort to help us."

Families have begun planning second funerals for loved ones recovered from Legacy Independent funeral directors (Donna Clifford/HullLive)

Jessie, 89, died "very suddenly with no warning signs" last November and the family said sadly they were not in a financial situation to be able to afford a funeral. Mr Essex explained on Facebook: "We stumbled across Legacy. Legacy is a five minute walk from where we live. We never knew that that was going to be the worst decision we could have ever made."

Her family held a funeral and received ashes about 11 or 12 days later, which Tristan used to talk to on the mantelpiece. They thought finally she was “at peace” but then in March, they were told she was one of 35 bodies recovered from Legacy Independent Funeral Homes Ltd. Her second funeral will be held at Hull Minster.

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Legacy Independent Funeral Homes is being investigated by police over "concern for care of the deceased" (Getty Images)

This week it emerged 200 people may have bought funeral plans that were non-existent from a Hull funeral home at the centre of a police inquiry, an MP has claimed. Emma Hardy, MP for Hull West and Hessle, has appealed for banks to refund those who took out policies from Legacy Independent Funeral Directors. She is arranging a meeting with the government to discuss the issue. The funeral firm is being investigated by police following a report of "concern for care of the deceased".

The Bishop of Hull, the Right Reverend Doctor Eleanor Sanderson, said it was "unthinkable" what affected families are going through. She said staff at Hull Minister were "throwing their doors open" and waiving all fees for services. Hull City Council is also writing to all families affected after DNA tests are complete, offering a free cremation, service, flowers and a private ambulance to transport the deceased.

Tributes have been paid to the 35 bodies that were recovered from the funeral directors (Karen Dry/MEN Media)

It is believed this will be funded through £2m of money provided by the government. A number of private businesses in Hull are also pulling together to support families.

The 35 bodies and a quantity of ashes were recovered by Humberside Police from the Legacy firm’s premises after a call reporting “concern for care of the deceased”. Two people have been arrested and released on bail while investigations continue.

Lucy Thornton