Couple demands funeral industry reform following Hull Legacy scandal
Their baby was removed from a chapel of rest without their permission
Following a distressing experience with a funeral director in Yorkshire, a couple who attended Robert Bush's sentencing are calling for more stringent regulations within the funeral industry to prevent similar cases in the future.
Cody and Liam Townend were outside Hull Crown Court last Friday, after a funeral director they trusted in West Yorkshire removed their stillborn baby from a chapel of rest without their knowledge.
This incident has compelled them to advocate for change.
Cody Townend expressed concerns about the standards within the funeral industry.
"We had a stillborn baby last January and trusted a funeral director with her, who betrayed our trust," Cody said.
"I think they should have hygiene ratings where the bodies are stored properly. We also think there should be DBS checks as there could be a bad person who got out of prison today and then open up tomorrow and be around vulnerable adults and elderly people."
Liam Townend echoed this, pointing to a need for systemic changes.
"If there were regulations in place already, Robert Bush would have received a longer sentence, and what happened to us might never have occurred," Liam said.
Robert Bush was sentenced to 20 years in prison and banned from working as a funeral director for 14 years.
Liam added: "The government needs to act because he could get out, wait a few years, and then set back up without any scrutiny."
The couple hopes that their experience will lead to a reevaluation of current regulations to ensure the safety and dignity of those affected by loss.
The Department for Health and Social Care have vowed to drive forward work alongside other government departments, including the Ministry of Justice and the Law Commission to crack down on rogue operators in the funeral sector, and to protect bereaved families against the heartbreak of having their loved ones mistreated in death.
This will include developing a range of detailed proposals to drive up standards, including regulation of the funeral sector. These will be drawn up in discussion with established operators, faith groups, families, and other stakeholders.