All local funeral directors to receive inspection visit, amid ongoing investigation
Hull City Council and East Riding Council have written to funeral directors
Every funeral director in Hull and the East Riding will be visited to check their procedures for caring for the deceased, amid an ongoing police investigation.
Hull City Council and East Riding Council have written to funeral directors informing them of the visits, which are supported by industry bodies. Julia Weldon, the Hull authority’s public health lead, said that the action would help to reassure people in the wake of the major police investigation into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors.
Humberside Police has removed 35 bodies from premises belonging to Legacy in Hessle Road, Hull. Last Friday, senior officers said they believed they had contacted the families of all 35 of the deceased.
Today, Andy Kingdom, the public health director for East Riding Council, said the authorities were working to ensure confidence, trust and high standards in the funeral sector. Both authorities have been working with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Humberside Police since the investigation into Legacy began on Wednesday, March 6.
Pre-arranged visits to funeral directors are due to be conducted this week. Council officers will review compliance with health and safety regulations, operational procedures and care of the deceased.
Officers will also offer support to businesses and answer any of their questions. The visits have the support of the National Association of Funeral Directors and the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors.
Councils do not have powers or responsibilities to oversee funeral directors as there is currently no statutory regulation governing them. Both authorities stated that the visits would give them an opportunity to look at a number of key areas and reassure customers and businesses.
Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy has called for mandatory regulations to be brought in to replace the current voluntary regime. St Andrews and Dockland ward’s Cllr Daren Hale has called for an emergency debate at Hull City Council’s full meeting on Thursday, March 21.
The Hull-based leader of a 1,000-strong national association of undertakers has called for statutory regulation of the funeral industry to come into force as soon as possible. Mark Horton is president of the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) and has served families in East Yorkshire for around 30 years.
He said MPs must ensure that every undertaker is adequately inspected and has guidance from a national code of practice. “We want to reassure families that all our members adhere to strict regulation and standards,” he said. “All are professional funeral directors. I welcome regulation across the UK, so families can be reassured their loved ones are looked after in a dignified way.”
Ms Weldon said councils knew bereaved families would be seeking reassurance during a very difficult time. The public health lead said: “Letters have now been sent, some visits have already taken place and others will follow over the coming week. These visits are a chance for both local authorities to work with our local businesses to put those reassurances in place.”
Mr Kingdom said people must be able to expect high standards from the sector. The public heath lead said: “While our main focus at the moment is on supporting the families directly affected by this very upsetting situation, it is also important that we work together to ensure confidence, trust and high standards.”
Meanwhile, both councils have pledged to support families directed affected by the Legacy investigation. A 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial and fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position. They have since been bailed.