Christmas vigil for Legacy investigation families

The tree baubles were decorated by children from Christopher Pickering Primary School

A Christmas vigil will be held later by people affected by an investigation into a Hull funeral home.

Families can add tributes to relatives on a memorial Christmas tree at St Nicholas Church in the city.

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

Tristan Essex, who discovered the body of his grandmother was found at the funeral home five months after he attended her funeral and received ashes, said the Christmas element of the vigil would be "a nice touch".

Claire Stockdale, Emma Hardy MP and Tristan Essex attended Parliament to discuss regulation of the funeral industry

Mr Essex and his sister Claire Stockdale were "absolutely heartbroken" when they discovered the body of their grandmother, Jessie Stockdale, had been found at the funeral home.

Accompanied by Emma Hardy MP, Mr Essex and Ms Stockdale met ministers in November when the government confirmed it was reviewing the funeral sector and looking at options for regulations.

Mr Essex said he would be attending the vigil on Thursday and had also been to all of the previous vigils, held on the first Thursday of each month.

"It's going to be a nice touch having a Christmas vigil," he said.

"I know most people would normally expect to have the grieving process over but it's difficult at Christmas.

"We'll all be together in a place where we all understand each other."

The vigils have been organised by Karen Dry, who used Legacy for the cremation of her parents in 2016 and 2019.

She said the vigils were a "safe space to talk" for anyone impacted by the investigation.

Reflecting on the previous month, Mr Essex said: "I'm still feeling quite anxious that we are still waiting for the regulations to be looked into and put in place.

"It's definitely a good step in the right direction for something that's been a long time coming.

"It's amazing we've managed to achieve that little step forward."

A police investigation into Legacy is continuing.

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, 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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