Body of gran left to decompose at funeral parlour for seven weeks family say

15 March 2024 , 11:10

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A boarded up door and hanging baskets were torn down at the Legacy Funeral Directors branch (Image: HullLive/MEN)

A family has been told by officers one of the decomposed bodies found at funeral directors at the centre of a police probe had their much-loved great grandmother's name tag on.

Relatives and friends of 78-year-old Susan Stone gathered at the 'chapel' at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors for the ceremony in January to say goodbye and were told her body would be taken off for cremation. But now son Martin fears his mum's body may have been left for seven weeks to decompose.

Mr Stone, 52, told the Daily Mail his suspicions were raised as the coffin appeared to be 'second hand' and 'dented' with a name plaque for his mother that was not properly attached. He added his family is also left wondering what really happened to the body of Mrs Stone's son Stephen, 48, who died 10 years ago and was also dealt with by Legacy.

Mr Stone had been his mother's carer until she died in hospital in January. Her husband Eric, 90, was devastated at her death but his grief has been made far worse by the news she was never cremated. "It's dramatically affected him. He is really upset and wants to go with my mum," he added.

Police outside the funeral home (PA)

The father-of-two said when the family were told by police he was furious. He added: "I just wanted to get revenge because of what happened to my mum, it's disgusting. I was fuming. Her body had been there for seven weeks. It had just been dumped there and wasn't even in a freezer."

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Police removed 35 bodies from Legacy's Hessle Road branch in Hull. Two people have since been arrested in connection to the probe. The company, which operates from two branches in Hull and one in Beverley in West Yorkshire, has been under investigation following concerns of "storage and management processes". On Sunday, police said a 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position.

A direct line has been set up for anyone who may be affected. Anyone who has used Legacy Independent Funeral Directors and has concerns is asked to call 0800 051 4674, or 0207 126 7619 if calling from abroad. Victim Support also has a dedicated telephone line – 0808 168 9111 – which is available to anyone who is experiencing distress or concern and would like advice and guidance.

Kelly-Ann Mills