Jailed undertaker seeks to appeal against 20-year sentence over funeral scandal

Families affected by the Legacy funeral scandal have condemned an application by jailed undertaker Robert Bush to appeal against his 20-year prison sentence, describing the move as an “insult” to victims.

Bush, 48, was sentenced at Hull Crown Court in July 2026 after admitting 67 offences connected to the running of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull.

His crimes included retaining 30 bodies after their funerals, giving grieving families ashes belonging to strangers and selling fake funeral plans.

The offending took place over a 12-year period and involved more than 300 victims.

Humberside Police confirmed it had been notified by the Criminal Appeal Office at the Royal Courts of Justice that Bush had lodged an application to appeal.

The force said: “Any decision regarding the appeal will be a matter for the courts.”

Families condemn appeal application

The application has caused further distress among families who have already endured years of uncertainty and emotional trauma.

Natalie Smith's grandfather, Norman Bridger, was among 35 bodies discovered at Legacy's premises in March 2024.

His family had held a funeral and said their goodbyes, only to discover later that his body had remained at Bush's unrefrigerated premises for 11 months.

Smith said she was not surprised Bush wanted to appeal, but questioned the fairness of the move while proceedings to confiscate the proceeds of his crimes were still ongoing.

Jasmine Beverley said she was troubled that victims could be forced to relive their experiences through another court hearing.

Her premature son, Sunny Beverley-Conlin, was found in a paper bag on the floor of Bush's parlour two years after his death.

Tristan Essex, whose grandmother Jessie Stockdale was also among the 35 bodies discovered, said he was “absolutely disgusted” by the application, adding that it brought further cruelty to the suffering of families.

A funeral business described as chaotic

During the original proceedings, prosecutors described Bush's funeral business on Hessle Road in Hull as “shambolic and chaotic”.

They said his offending had caused families “extreme emotional pain, anguish and upset”.

In August, Bush wrote to families affected by his crimes to express regret, saying he was “deeply sorry”.

However, his apology has done little to ease the distress experienced by those who discovered what had happened to their loved ones.

What happens next?

Bush's application does not mean he has been granted permission to appeal or that his sentence will change.

He will find out at a later date whether the application will be heard by the Court of Appeal.

Any decision on whether an appeal can proceed will be made by the courts.

Real Terryo Daily Round Up

Reporting the stories that matter, with context and perspective.