Police investigating funeral firm meeting 163 families in connection with ashes
Humberside Police launched a huge investigation into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors after 35 bodies were removed from the firm’s Hull premises.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Police investigating a Hull funeral directors are visiting 163 families in relation to the repatriation of ashes, officers have confirmed.
Humberside Police said they began visiting families last week, along with support staff from Hull City Council and East Riding Council, as part of the huge inquiry into the remains found at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors.
The firm has been under police investigation since officers recovered 35 bodies, as well as suspected human ashes, at its site in Hessle Road, Hull, earlier this year.
Since detectives announced their investigation into the firm, hundreds of families across Hull and East Yorkshire have been left questioning whether they have the ashes of their loved ones, with some saying they have been told they definitely have the wrong remains.
A 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position, and they remain on bail.
Humberside Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said on Monday: “Over the last two weeks, my officers have been making contact with the families identified as part of the investigation.
“This has been to provide an update as to the ashes recovered and to also arrange personal meetings with them, to offer further support and discuss in detail the process that has taken place and the options available to them.
We have waited to provide this update publicly until initial contact could be made, as understandably the families are our priority and the information is personal and private to them
“We have waited to provide this update publicly until initial contact could be made, as understandably the families are our priority and the information is personal and private to them.”
The officer added: “The meetings began last week and will take time to complete, with both my officers and support staff from Hull City Council and East Riding Council in attendance, to offer care and assistance to families.
“Some families may want to receive the ashes, and others may not, There is no right or wrong answer, and the impact and effect it will have will differ for each individual family, but it should not be underestimated and we will do all we can to support those throughout what is an incredibly difficult time.
“If you have not received a call from us in regards to the ashes recovered, but you have concerns or feel impacted by any element of the ongoing investigation, support is available via Victim Support’s 24-hour independent helpline on 0808 281 1136, and I would you encourage to please get in touch.
“Again, as always, I want to thank the families and everyone in our communities for their understanding as we continue this complex investigation, and we will endeavour to provide answers and updates as and when we are able to.”
In April, Mr McLoughlin said more than 2,000 calls had been received on the investigation’s dedicated phone line and “of those a significant number were understandably concerned about the identification of the ashes of their loved ones”.
He also confirmed that it was impossible to identify any of the human ashes using DNA profiles – a fact he said would be “devastating news for families and loved ones”.
He added that officers have been in contact with more than 700 families to update them regarding the latest scientific advice and offer support.
On Monday, Mr McLoughlin said that, since the April update, “comprehensive inquiries” have been carried out from documentation found with individual ashes and at the premises to potentially identify and locate next of kin.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.