Legacy – the stories that must be told: ‘What he did is diabolical, sickening and inhumane’

The 48-year-old left bodies to decompose at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors’ premises in the city, gave bereaved families the ashes of other people and stole money donated from collections at funerals.The “horror” and revulsion felt by the families who had lost loved ones was revealed at Hull Crown Court during a series of powerful and harrowing victim statements during the first four days of the five-day sentencing hearing.

Over the coming weeks, we will be publishing those statements – from families who had cruelly been taken advantage of when they were at their most vulnerable. Their stories need to be told, and we will ensure that they are, for as long as it takes.

Thomas Michael Marritt was my friend of 15 years and employee. I am a hotelier, and it is through the hotel that I met Tom and he was eventually to help in the running of the hotel for me.

Tom was admitted to the Hull Royal Infirmary where he passed away on 03/04/22. I was with him at the time he passed away, as was another of his friends, Emma.

I elected Robert Bush of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors to take care of moving Tom from the hospital. This was of no concern to me as I had met Rob previously when he conducted the funeral of my uncle Malcolm.

From memory, Rob did conduct a good service, he was a nice man and was professional in what he was doing. Tom did not have plans in place for his funeral and could not afford to do so.

Emma applied for a government payment to fund Tom’s Funeral and cremation but this would not be available prior to Tom’s service so I paid Robert Bush £500 deposit over the telephone. Rob Bush did say that this would be returned to me as soon as the funeral had been paid in full by the Government.

The funeral took place on Friday 29th April 2022 at the chapel within the Legacy. We had agreed with Robert Bush that some pall bearers could carry Tom to the chapel from the hearse. On the day, Robert Bush said this was not possible which upset some people.

The service went ahead, however, I thought it strange that Robert Bush wanted to take Tom for cremation that same day. I never did receive the deposit back from Robert Bush.

Tom’s ashes were collected by Emma, she had taken a small amount for some jewellery and given the rest of the ashes to Tom’s foster son, Mark. After the news broke about Legacy being investigated by the police, in March 2024, I was contacted by a female called Amy saying that she thought her mother had Tom’s ashes.

Her mother had received her partner’s ashes from Legacy but when they looked inside the bag of ashes, there was a paper label stating cremated remains of Thomas Michael Marritt, cremation 33181 dated 13/06/22, Haltemprice crematorium.

The ashes that Mark was given just had a label on the outside with his name, Legacy Funeral directors and Tom’s number. I thought this very strange to put a dead person’s number of a bag of ashes.

This was reported to the police and, on advice, the ashes were collected from Amy’s mother’s house. Prior to this, I rang Mark and let him know what Amy had found. He was in shock and sent me a picture of the ashes. It looked like sand in a bag but a very similar bag to that that Tom’s real ashes were in.

The police I think got in touch with Mark and he was advised to take the ashes he had to the crematorium. Tom’s ashes were brought to my house. These looked like what I knew ashes to look like. There was paperwork with the ashes, and we were happy that the ashes were those of Tom.

I think what Mr Bush has done is diabolical, sickening and inhumane. The first time I met him was with my uncle and he was nice. When it came to Tom, he seemed to want the deposit and want me out. Everything I seemed to ask for didn’t happen.

It was a Friday afternoon and the service just seemed rushed. When he didn’t allow us to carry Tom in from the hearse as I had asked, I just sort of went with it. Now I’m left wondering if Tom was in the coffin.

I think this was done completely out of greed. I feel sorry for those people who have gone through the most terrible time in their lives and not had their ashes back of their loved ones.

I hope Robert Bush is held fully accountable for what he has done. He has deceived so many people and I am just grateful that we know we have Tom back with us.

Debra Lawson