Funeral director offers to store Legacy inquiry ashes

Kevin Moxon said his business would support the families affected by the police investigation into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors

A funeral director has offered to store and "properly care" for ashes that were wrongly returned to families.

A Humberside Police investigation in to Legacy Independent Funeral Directors Ltd in Hull was launched in March.

Several families who thought their loved ones had been cremated were told their bodies had been recovered and others have told the BBC they do not know whose ashes they have.

Kevin Moxon, who owns a local family run firm, has said he will provide his "ongoing support" to the families involved.

Mr Moxon, who will offer his services without charge, said: "If you have cremated remains and you're not sure who they are or aren't comfortable then we'll have them in our care. We'll store them and keep them safe.

"I've never experienced anything like this in 26 years of funerals. It's an honourable profession where we're looking after families at the most vulnerable time of their lives."

Caroline Flynn, left, lost her mum two years ago and has been told by police that her ashes are still in storage

A vigil for the affected families was held at Pickering Park in Hull on Thursday where a crowd lit candles and released balloons.

Caroline Flynn, whose mother passed away in October 2022, attended the event and described the situation as "a nightmare" after finding out she had received ashes belonging to someone else.

She told the BBC: "We had a funeral for my mum, we scattered ashes but we've now been told by the police that they've found her ashes.

"We don't know who we scattered or what those ashes were. Me and my sister had put some in necklace, my brother had saved some. It's been absolutely awful."

Second funerals for some of the 35 bodies recovered by the police have now taken place.

Two people have been arrested and released on bail while investigations continue.

File On 4: Lasting Legacy - What went wrong at a Hull Funeral Home

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Anyone affected by the Legacy funeral inquiry can call a dedicated Victim Support Line on 0808 281 1136.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, information and support is available via the BBC Action Line.

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