The Department of Health and Social Care has since announced it would develop “proposals for formal regulation of the funeral sector” in order to “ensure better protection for bereaved families”.
In a statement, it said it would work with other government departments to “crack down on rogue operators in the funeral sector”.
“As part of this work, the Law Commission will 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.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “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.”
The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) previously told the BBC Legacy had been a member for a number of years but resigned membership of its organisation in 2021.
It said it had inspected a former premises operated by Bush in 2018, when some of his alleged offending took place, and he had “met the requirements we needed”.
Post-sentencing, NAFD chief executive Andrew Judd said: “We did not inspect Legacy, we had no knowledge he was operating at that premises because he moved the business without telling us.
“We haven’t ever had eyes inside the horrific scene that the victims have experienced.”
Bush’s crimes date as far back as 2012, two years after he set up Legacy.
Prior to that, he worked for other funeral businesses in the city and oversaw 2,000 funerals during his career.
If you have been affected by issues surrounding bereavement, information is available via BBC Action Line, including contact details of organisations that can help.
