Labour MP Mark Sewards has brought together more than 50 parliamentarians in a cross-party call for urgent action to regulate the funeral industry and protect bereaved families from rogue operators.
The Leeds South West and Morley MP welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to introduce regulation but warned that further action was needed to close the gaps that have allowed serious abuses to take place.
Sewards organised the letter to Health Secretary Yvette Cooper alongside Dame Caroline Dinenage, the Conservative MP for Gosport. It was signed by Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Green, Plaid Cymru and independent MPs.
Sewards said:
“The Prime Minister’s commitment to regulating the funeral industry was welcome, but there is still much more to be done.
“That’s why, along with Caroline Dinenage and fifty other MPs from across the House, I have written to the Health Secretary to call for immediate action.”
The intervention follows the conviction of Hull funeral director Robert Bush, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison after admitting or being found guilty of 67 offences.
Police discovered 35 bodies and a large quantity of ashes at premises operated by Legacy Independent Funeral Directors. Some families were given the ashes of strangers while believing they had received the remains of their loved ones.
In their letter, the MPs described the case as a “devastating breach of public trust and human dignity” and argued that the absence of statutory regulation had helped make such abuse possible.
Unlike Scotland, England and Wales currently have no compulsory licensing system for funeral directors, no statutory minimum standards governing the care of the deceased and no universal inspection regime.
Many responsible funeral directors voluntarily belong to professional bodies and follow their codes of practice. However, membership is not compulsory, leaving rogue operators able to establish businesses without being subject to consistent oversight.
The Labour government has already committed to developing comprehensive proposals for formal regulation following the Bush case.
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has said ministers are determined to drive rogue operators out of the industry, ensure dignity in death and give bereaved families confidence that their loved ones will be treated with care and respect.
The Department of Health and Social Care is leading the work alongside the Ministry of Justice and the Law Commission. Bereaved families, faith groups, established funeral providers and other experts will be consulted to ensure the resulting system is effective and proportionate.
Sewards and his parliamentary colleagues are urging ministers to build on that commitment by taking three immediate steps.
They want the government to publish a comprehensive response to the recommendations of the Fuller Inquiry and commit to implementing them in full.
They are also calling for amendments to the forthcoming Health Bill to establish a clear statutory regulatory framework for funeral directors.
Finally, the MPs want sufficient funding provided to the Human Tissue Authority, or another appropriate public authority, so it can inspect, license and regulate funeral businesses effectively.
The independent Fuller Inquiry concluded that arrangements for the care of people after death were fragmented and, in some areas, completely absent. Its final report made 75 recommendations and called for statutory regulation to safeguard the security and dignity of deceased people in every setting.
The MPs’ letter also highlighted other disturbing cases, including the discovery of 46 bodies kept in an unrefrigerated environment at a Gosport funeral business and concerns involving a Leeds funeral director who placed the bodies of children in lifelike positions inside her home.
However, the signatories stressed that the overwhelming majority of funeral directors work with integrity, compassion and professionalism. They argued that reputable businesses would benefit from robust regulation that removes rogue operators, raises standards and restores public confidence.
Their letter said:
“We urge you to listen to victims, industry experts and parliamentarians by acting now to ensure that Robert Bush is the last such case of abuse in the funeral industry.”
Sewards’ campaign shows Labour parliamentarians working constructively across party lines while pressing for the government’s welcome commitment to be translated into strong and effective legislation.
Bereaved families should never have to question whether a loved one has been treated with dignity. With ministers committed to reform and MPs maintaining the pressure for swift action, Parliament now has an opportunity to close the regulatory gap for good.
