A Hull based family is grieving after being informed by police that the ashes they received from a local funeral director were not those of their loved one. Gary Dean’s mother, Joan, passed away in November 2022, and Mr Dean’s family utilized Legacy Independent Funeral Directors for her funeral. Later, they received urns they believed contained her ashes.
In March of the following year, the police removed 35 bodies and a quantity of ashes associated with the firm due to “concerns for the care of the deceased.” Mr Dean said the family was initially unaware anything was amiss, but when concerns about the funeral company emerged, Mr Dean contacted a helpline from Humberside Police.
On Sunday, Mr Dean was informed that the police had found his mother’s ashes and that they were still in a sealed paper bag with her name on it. Mr Dean then contacted the crematorium, but the ashes given to him could not be accepted because no one knew who they belonged to. Police advised the family to wait and not take any further action with regards to their mother’s ashes until the investigation was complete.
Two individuals, a 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, were apprehended on suspicion of preventing a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation, and fraud by abuse of position. They were subsequently released on bail while the inquiry continued. Humberside Police indicated that anyone affected by the case could contact Victim Support on 0808 281 1136 and that they will be supporting the victims as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors are yet to provide their statements on the matter
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