Hull funeral inquiry: Government confirms funeral sector review

The government has confirmed it is reviewing the funeral sector and looking at options for regulations.

It comes after a family affected by a major investigation into a Hull funeral home met ministers on Wednesday for urgent regulation of the industry.

Tristan Essex and his sister Claire Stockdale were "absolutely heartbroken" to discover the body of their grandmother, Jessie Stockdale, was found at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors five months after they had attended her funeral and received ashes.

In a statement, the Ministry of Justice said every family "rightly expects their loved ones to be treated with dignity and respect" and added it would "set out next steps in due course".

A government spokesperson said: "We are currently reviewing the funeral sector to ensure the highest standards are always met, including looking at options for regulation, and will set out next steps in due course."

They said it was considering options for "what a regulatory structure for funeral directors could look like".

The MoJ also said it was "thoroughly reviewing the recommendations" set in an independent report published last month into necrophiliac killer David Fuller who filmed himself abusing at least 100 female bodies at two Kent hospital mortuaries over 12 years.

Detectives were continuing investigations into Legacy.

A 46-year-old man, who was arrested on 9 March on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position, remains on conditional bail.

A 54-year-old woman, who was arrested in July on suspicion of money laundering offences, also remains on bail.

Victim Support has a telephone support line for anyone affected by the investigation.