'Not knowing is torture' amid funeral home inquiry

Richard Shaw keeps the ashes he was given next to a photograph of his wife Rita

A grieving husband says it is "torture" not knowing if his wife’s body was one of those recovered from a Hull funeral company.

Richard Shaw used Legacy Independent Funeral Services to cremate his wife Rita, who died in October 2023 after a short illness.

A quantity of ashes and 35 bodies were removed from the firm's branch on Hessle Road by police following "concern for care of the deceased".

Two people arrested on a number of offences have been released on bail while inquiries continue, Humberside Police said.

Richard Shaw used Legacy Independent Funeral Services to cremate his wife Rita, who died in October 2023

Mr Shaw has been asked by officers to provide photographs of his wife and details of any distinguishing marks on her body.

He said he had paid the firm for a direct cremation and told the BBC the service he had received "seemed normal".

A direct cremation is the term used in the industry for the simplest cremation available. It is a cremation with no funeral service or ceremony.

'Hill of grief'

An urn of ashes was given to Mr Shaw 60 days after the funeral of Rita, whom he described as "the love of his life".

But he is now questioning whether they are those of his wife.

The retiree, who volunteers at the Hull hospice where Rita died, said the call from police had knocked him "back down the hill" of grief.

"It's like a double whammy, it's hit me again. Not knowing things is like torture and you just want to know one way or another", he said.

Mr Shaw initially contacted Humberside Police through a dedicated telephone helpline set up after the bodies were found.

More than 1,000 calls to the force have been made by worried families.

Mr Shaw said he hoped to receive a call from Humberside Police later.