Former Hull trawlerman given 'wife's ashes' before her cremation

Peter Welburn now knows the ashes he was given cannot be those of his late wife

A grandfather claims he was given what he was told were his wife's ashes only to discover that she had not been cremated until several weeks later.

Peter Welburn said he paid £1,900 to Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, which is at the centre of a police investigation, for his wife Shirley's funeral.

He claims he received the ashes on 23 December but said he was told this week that his wife was not cremated until 16 January.

The BBC has contacted Legacy.

Mr Welburn says Legacy gave him a box containing ashes

Humberside Police began an investigation after receiving a report of "concern for care of the deceased".

The force later said 35 bodies and a quantity of ashes had been removed from Legacy's premises on Hessle Road in Hull.

Mr Welburn, 72, a former trawlerman, said his wife's funeral was held on 19 December at Legacy's premises.

"We had what we thought were Shirley's ashes around the Christmas tree because she loved that time of year and wanted her to be close to the kids and grandkids," he said.

"But whose ashes are in a wooden box in my living room? They're obviously not Shirley's. I want answers."

'Deep sorrow to extreme anger'

Mrs Welburn, described by her husband as a "lovely and kind" woman who doted on her family, died in Hull Royal Infirmary on 25 November. She was 72.

Her funeral, attended by dozens of their family and friends, was held at Legacy's branch in Hessle Road, Hull.

Mr Welburn said he was told by Robert Bush, listed as a director of Legacy, it would be cheaper to use Cottingley Hall Crematorium, 60 miles away in Leeds, rather than their local site.

Timeline

25 November - Shirley Welburn dies at Hull Royal Infirmary

5 December - Husband Peter Welburn pays Legacy Independent Funeral Directors £1,900 for her funeral

19 December - Mrs Welburn's funeral is held at Legacy's premises in Hull

23 December - Mr Welburn is given a box containing ashes by Legacy

18 March - Mr Welburn is told by Cottingley Hall Crematorium, in Leeds, his wife was cremated on 16 January this year

After police said that two people had been arrested in connection with the investigation, Mr Welburn said a relative had asked him if he had received a cremation certificate.

"I wasn't given any kind of certification," he said. "The only pieces of paper I got were receipts from Legacy.

"So I rang the crematorium in Leeds. They confirmed to me Shirley was cremated there on January 16th."

He said he has felt a mix of emotions, ranging from deep sorrow to extreme anger.

Mr Welburn said: "It's only my family, the kids and grandkids, that are keeping me going."

The walls of Mr Welburn's home are covered with photographs of his wife of 33 years, with whom he had four children.

Mr Welburn kept the order of service from his wife's funeral, which carries his favourite photograph of them together.

"We were together 50 years in all," he said. "The photo was taken on holiday in Great Yarmouth. We had some great times together. She was so kind. She loved her family.

"Shirley didn't deserve any of this."

'Extremely distressing'

In a statement, Humberside Police said: "Given the complexities and scale of the investigation and the number of people affected, we are not in a position to comment on individual circumstances. However, we are continuing to explore numerous lines of inquiry and where people have been identified as victims, we will be supporting them."

Leeds City Council said in a statement: "Leeds City Council appreciates this is an extremely distressing time for all involved.

"Officers from our bereavement services team are assisting with the ongoing investigation, and we will continue to help all relevant authorities in any way we can."

A 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman who were arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position remain on bail as police inquiries continue.