Robert Bush, a funeral director in Hull, England, defrauded 172 individuals out of approximately £562,000 (over $700,000 USD) through fraudulent funeral plans sold over an 11-year period. Bush, the owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, pleaded guilty to 67 offenses, including failing to provide the promised burials and cremations, theft from charities, fraudulent trading, and general fraud.
During Bush's sentencing hearing at Hull Crown Court, victims shared their experiences of being unable to secure refunds for funeral plans purchased from Legacy. One woman testified that her parents, who had each paid £2,649 for funeral plans, died without seeing justice. Another victim stated she had not received a refund of £5,000 for two policies.
Maxine Hill recounted how Bush personally visited her parents at their home and accepted cash payments for funeral plans, providing a handwritten receipt. Although the bank initially refunded the amount paid by her father, it later reversed the decision, citing a lack of evidence that the product was not received. Both of Hill's parents have since passed away.
Victims are reportedly facing difficulties obtaining refunds, with at least one bank refusing to return the money taken by Bush due to insufficient proof of non-delivery. The court heard details of the financial losses incurred by families who had entrusted Bush with pre-paid funeral arrangements that were never honored.