31/07/2026
At Philip Evans Family Funeral Services, we care about the impact of the deeply distressing actions of Robert Bush at Legacy Funeral Directors, Hull. We are member's of the trade body, SAIF. We would like to reassure you that we uphold the highest standards of care.
As a profession, we are all appalled by the actioned of Robert Bush.
Please find below the statement offered by SAIF following the trial.
SAIF has responded following the sentencing of Robert Bush at Hull Crown Court.
Bush was sentenced to twenty years after pleading guilty to 67 offences connected with his operation of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors. In his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Hilliard said:
“No sentence I pass can put right the harm that the defendant has done.”
Throughout the sentencing hearing, the court heard deeply distressing victim impact statements from families affected by his actions.
SAIF made a conscious decision to wait until the hearing had concluded before issuing its full response, allowing us to consider the full proceedings, victim impact statements and final sentencing remarks.
Our thoughts remain with everyone affected and with the wider Hull community.
Terry Tennens, CEO of SAIF, said:
“While this is anything but a moment for celebration, we are pleased to see Bush receive a tough sentence for the distress he has caused to the community of Hull. Our thoughts are with the families directly affected by his crimes, and we hope his punishment gives them some sense of justice for the pain that they have endured.
“We also hope that the sentence sends a powerful message to other unregulated funeral directors* that they cannot get away with playing fast and loose with bereaved people. All families experiencing grief need to be treated with care, compassion and transparency – and receive an appropriate service to their needs and circumstances.
“To that end, we are eager to see the new Burnham government move forwards with regulation of the funeral profession. We want to see all responsible players from across the sector come together to support efforts to introduce a regulatory regime that applies to each and every business involved in care of the deceased and their loved ones.
“A model of regulation already exists and is working well in Scotland. SAIF and the NAFD have responded to this by adopting a common code of practice based on the Scottish government’s code, to ensure consistency across the UK.
“To achieve this, we strongly support the model proposed by the Funeral Regulation Task Group (FRTG), which establishes mandatory licensing for all funeral service providers, registration for individual practitioners and formal educational accreditation. In addition to the code of practice, businesses should also have to nominate a personally accountable ‘fit and proper’ designated person and submit to a robust, independent inspectorate empowered to conduct unannounced spot checks.
“Crucially, the framework also demands individual accountability, requiring practitioners to undergo DBS background checks and maintain continuing professional development. By introducing entry-level standards like the Basic Funeral Practitioner Certificate and accredited mortuary science qualifications, we can finally establish a clear, professional pathway into the sector. The FRTG’s co-regulatory proposal is designed for accelerated delivery, and we urge the government to collaborate directly with the sector to turn this draft framework into a functioning regulatory system.”
*Around 90 per cent of funeral directors currently enter voluntary regulation through membership of at least one recognised trade association, such as SAIF or the NAFD. This means that these businesses are subject to inspections based on the UK Funeral Director Code, and have an independent customer complaints process which, for SAIF, is delivered via an externally audited, CTSI-certified alternative dispute resolution body.
SAIF member standards
Many independent funeral directors choose voluntary oversight through membership of SAIF. Members are inspected and required to follow the UK Funeral Director Code. Families using a SAIF member also have access to an independent complaints process through SAIF.
These safeguards provide added reassurance, but voluntary oversight doesn’t currently apply to every funeral provider. SAIF continues to call for proportionate regulation that gives all families consistent protection and confidence in the care they receive.
Notes to Editors
About SAIF
The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors is the UK’s largest trade association dedicated to supporting independent funeral directors.
Established in 1989, SAIF represents around 1,000 member firms across approximately 1,865 locations. Members are predominantly independent, often family-run funeral businesses rooted in the communities they serve.
SAIF provides practical support, professional guidance, quality assurance and representation. It also leads the national campaign, which raises awareness of trusted local support, meaningful farewells and informed funeral choice.
Legacy Independent Funeral Directors
Legacy Independent Funeral Directors wasn’t and has never been a member of SAIF.
It wasn’t therefore subject to SAIF’s membership standards, inspections, UK Funeral Director Code requirements or independent complaints process.
Existing SAIF standards
SAIF members must follow the UK Funeral Director Code and are subject to a programme of inspections covering their premises, mortuary facilities and administrative processes.
Families using a SAIF member also have access to an independent complaints process. This is delivered through an externally audited alternative dispute resolution body certified by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
Funeral regulation
SAIF supports proportionate regulation covering all funeral providers and practitioners.
The Funeral Regulation Task Group’s proposed framework includes:
• mandatory licensing for funeral service providers
• registration of individual practitioners
• appropriate background checks
• professional education and continuing development
• accredited entry-level and mortuary qualifications
• accountable leadership within funeral businesses
• an independent inspection system
• unannounced inspections
• consistent access to complaints and redress
SAIF is working with the Government and funeral sector stakeholders to support regulation that protects families while recognising the needs and experience of independent funeral directors.
