Hull funeral home: Denied final goodbye with mum due to ‘decomposition’

Police are investigating Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull

A grieving woman who nursed her terminally ill mum says she was denied the chance to say goodbye because the funeral home said the body had started to decompose.

She's one of a number of relatives who have spoken to BBC Radio 4 documentary series, File on 4, about their experience with Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, which is currently under investigation by the police.

The woman, who we've called Louise to protect her identity, was dealt a further blow when attempting to collect her mother's ashes.

After months of requests, eventually, she visited the funeral parlour and said she was locked in a room for half an hour while attempts were made to find them - only to be told they had been "misplaced".

Another customer of the business, 24-year-old Tristan Essex from Hull said there was mould and dried blood in his grandmother's coffin and an unpleasant smell when he entered the building.

He said: "When I saw the coffin my heart just stopped. She looked so poorly treated."

Last month, 35 bodies and a quantity of ashes were recovered by Humberside Police from the firm's premises after a call reporting "concern for care of the deceased". Two people have been arrested and released on bail whilst investigations continue.

Lasting Legacy: What went wrong at a Hull funeral home?

File on 4 investigates what happened at a Hull funeral home where police found 35 bodies and an unknown quantity of unidentified human ashes.

Listen on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

After Louise left the funeral parlour, the ashes were delivered to her home later that evening.

The 35-year-old says she is now in a "living nightmare" wondering if she has the correct ashes.

'Sick with grief'

"I never signed for them like I did my dad's. There is no paperwork inside the box that is meant to be kept with ashes at all times," she said.

"My mum's ashes don't seem full.

"The bag inside the box was not stapled close like they normally do. There are little holes where staples have been.

"I was so traumatised and physically and mentally exhausted by the experiences I had shared with my mum, I didn't really take much in or question anything. I was so sick with grief."

The BBC has approached Legacy Independent Funerals Ltd for comment. Louise is one of several relatives calling for a group memorial plot for unidentified ashes.

Hull City Council has told File on 4 they will begin consulting with families in the next few weeks about this.

Tristan Essex cared for his grandmother Jessie Stockdale, pictured, for seven years prior to her death

Mr Essex also has unidentified ashes in his home. They were given to him after his grandmother Jessie Stockdale's funeral. They sit on his fireplace, next to her handbag.

He distributed a small amount of ashes to members of his family "so they had a little piece of my grandma to remember her by".

But he says he was later contacted by the police who revealed they believe one of the 35 bodies discovered in the Hessle Road funeral parlour was Ms Stockdale.

The family were asked to provide DNA. Tests are still ongoing.

He has tried to give the ashes to the police but they have asked him to keep them for now.

Mr Essex admits his family will struggle to afford a second funeral.

In March, 35 bodies and a quantity of ashes were recovered by Humberside Police from the firm's premises.

The BBC understands the government is to provide up to £2m to help councils with costs arising from investigations into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors.

In a statement, Hull City Council have told File on 4 that families will not have to pay for second funerals.

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.

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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