Funeral director customer 'told by police they may have wrong person's ashes'
A grieving family claims they were told they may have been given the wrong person's ashes amidst a police probe into a funeral directors.
Emma Osborne says she was informed by police her stepfather, Danny Middleton, may be one of the bodies recovered from a branch of the Legacy Independent Funeral directors in Hull. Officers descended on the firm's three branches last week after receiving a tip-off concerning care for the deceased.
Humberside Police later arrested two people on suspicion of fraud and preventing a decent burial. Some 34 bodies were also confirmed to have been removed from one of the funeral homes in the Hessle Road area of the city.
Meanwhile, the funeral directors appeared to have had its branding removed from its branch in Beverley, East Yorkshire, on Tuesday. The shop's sign had been taken down baring the former title of a previous, unconnected business underneath.
Mourner Ms Osborne sais she was given what she was told was Danny's ashes a month ago after Legacy carried out his funeral, and that she was now enduring the agonising wait to find out if he was indeed one of the bodies removed over the weekend. “As far as we know he has got his ID band on him, that’s all we know, he has not been identified properly,” she told the Telegraph, saying Danny had died around two months prior.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
Legacy is being investigated over concerns about their care for the deceased (PA)“They [the funeral directors] have given my step-brother ashes a month ago, they have given him ashes saying that it was my step dad. I think there might be a number of other people that have been in the same [position], that’s all I can say to you.”
It came as another grieving family spoke of fears they kissed "an empty coffin" after the death of a beloved dad and brother. Billie Jo Suffill, 33, lost her dad Andy Suffill, 52, had not been in the casket when they had his funeral in 2022.
Andy died by suicide in June 2022 in a double tragedy which saw his son Dwane, 33, also take his life days later after finding the body. Billie said at the time she had not been allowed to see her dad's body, and now fears the worst.
"I wanted to see him dressed in his new clothes but I never got to," she said, adding that the undertaker at the time had been a "hero", taking the bodies and giving her time to raise money for the service. “I got ashes after my brother’s funeral," she said. "But now I don’t even know if they are his ashes and I never got any from my dad." Billie said she fears that her dad was "not even in the coffin - it was an empty coffin. I was kissing an empty coffin. When I think about it now it is disgusting."
Mum of three Billie Jo Suffill, 33, told how she was horrified to hear the news
Billie with brother Dwane who tragically took his life after finding his father's body (Hull Daily Mail / MEN Media)Legacy has not yet made any comment in relation to the police investigation. One local business owner who knew the owner described him as a "very nice", "kind" and "caring" guy.
Earlier today, police in Hull confirmed that a "quantity of human ashes" was also recovered and urged other customers with concerns to come forward.
Humberside Police meanwhile continues to run helplines set up after launching the investigation, revealing they had received hundreds of calls from people worried their loved ones' remains may have been affected. Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said: “We can confirm that a man, aged 46 and a woman, aged 23 have been arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position and remain in police custody at this time.
“As part of our investigation, as of today (Sunday 10 March), we can confirm 34 deceased people have now been respectfully transported from Legacy Funeral Directors based on Hessle Road to the mortuary in Hull for formal identification procedures to take place.
“Since the report on Wednesday 6 March, cordons remain in place at all three Legacy Independent Funeral Directors premises. The dedicated phone line remains open and has received over 350 calls from concerned members of the public since Friday. We continue to encourage anyone who has used Legacy Independent Funeral Directors and has concerns to call us on 0800 051 4674 or 0207 126 7619 if you are calling from abroad.
“Each call we receive is being carefully handled and delicately assessed by a specialist team to ensure we have a thorough understanding of each family’s circumstances. We will get back to each and every one of you as soon as we can. Please be reassured that my staff and officers are working around the clock to deal with the unprecedented enquiries generated as a result of this incident.
“Families affected continue to be supported by family liaison officers at what we appreciate is an extremely distressing time for all involved. These officers are also working closely with our partners to ensure that families are provided with the most appropriate care and support for their personal circumstances whilst our investigation continues.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
