Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (): I wish to update the House
on the Government's proposals for formal regulation of the
funeral sector, announced this summer following the sentencing of
criminal funeral director Robert Bush. These proposals will seek
to crack down on rogue operators in the funeral sector and ensure
better protection for bereaved families.
On 31 July, Bush, of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in
Hull, was sentenced to twenty years in prison for a total of 67
charges, including the prevention of a lawful and decent burial,
fraud, fraudulent trading and theft.
His actions were utterly abhorrent, and my thoughts remain with
all the bereaved families in Hull who were so badly let down.
Every person in every situation deserves dignity in death, and
every bereaved family deserves certainty that their loved ones
are being treated with care and respect.
For those families, there can be few things more painful than
knowing a loved one was not treated properly after they died. The
deceased cannot speak for themselves, which is why clear
safeguards, stronger oversight and consistent standards are
needed to protect their dignity and give families the reassurance
they deserve.
Sadly, this case was just the latest horrendous example in our
country of the deceased not being treated with the care and
respect they deserved.
Sir Jonathan Michael's independent inquiry into the horrific
crimes of David Fuller in the mortuary of Maidstone and Tunbridge
Wells NHS Trust showed the need to ensure better standards across
all settings that look after our loved ones after they die,
including those where some level of regulation is already in
place.
Building on the progress already made in responding to the Fuller
Inquiry (see HCWS26, 15 July 2026(opens in a
new tab)), and in the wake of the Robert Bush case, the
Government will therefore bring forward comprehensive proposals
to ensure respect and dignity for the deceased in every setting,
to drive rogue operators out of the funeral industry, and to
protect other families from suffering this same heartache.
The Department of Health and Social Care is leading this work
alongside the Ministry of Justice and other government
departments, and will draw up detailed proposals to drive up
standards, including proper regulation of the funeral sector. As
part of this work, the Law Commission will also undertake a
review of the criminal law in relation to the deceased, consider
any gaps in existing legal protections and make recommendations
on the creation of new offences, if they are needed.
The Government will work closely with bereaved families, funeral
providers, faith groups, local authorities and other stakeholders
to ensure that future policy in this area is proportionate,
effective and informed by those with relevant experience. This
will ensure families can have confidence that funeral providers
are meeting clear, consistent standards, no matter where they
live or which provider they choose.
These changes will also reinforce the profound responsibility
placed on anyone entrusted with caring for someone after death.
The majority of funeral providers live up to that responsibility,
and offer compassionate and professional care every day.
Nevertheless, stronger oversight, including proper regulation of
the sector, will protect families from rogue operators, support
good providers and restore confidence in a sector that people
must be able to trust in moments of profound grief and loss.
We will keep the House updated as this work progresses, and set
out our detailed plans and timetables for the implementation of
these new proposals in due course.
