‘Minor changes’ to the planned gardens in Hull and Holderness will be made following feedback
An artist’s impression of one of the memorial gardens which featured in the consultation(Image: East Riding of Yorkshire Council)
Building work has begun on one of two memorial gardens to remember those affected by the Legacy funeral directors incident. Construction has started at the chosen Northern Cemetery site, in Hull, with works set to be completed by late September.
A shorter build time is required at the chosen site in the East Riding, which is at Lelley Fields Crematorium, near Preston, in Holderness. There, works are expected to begin this month and be finished by the end of the summer.
Following a consultation earlier this year, Hull City Council and East Riding Of Yorkshire Council have confirmed the final plans for memorial gardens to remember those affected by the Legacy incident will include a free offer of a named plaque, extra seating and bird baths. Tracy Meyerhoff, Hull’s director of adult social care, is leading the work to support the families and communities affected by the incident.
She said: “We wanted to make sure we’d taken on as many views as possible about the designs we proposed earlier this year, and we did receive a good amount of feedback during our consultation. Whilst the overall look of the gardens will remain largely the same, that feedback has led to some minor changes.
“We’re happy to make these suggested additions so that we can make sure that the gardens will be respectful and peaceful settings where ashes of those involved can be laid to rest, including the interment of ashes at the Hull site.” Angela Dearing, the East Riding’s recovery lead for the incident, and director of housing, transportation and public protection, said: “We wrote to the families directly affected by this incident to seek their views ahead of opening up the consultation more widely to residents.
The Forget-Me-Not Garden planned for Northern Cemetery, in Hull, for those affected by the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors investigation(Image: Hull City Council/East Riding of Yorkshire Council)
“Drop-in events were held in both Hull and Beverley to make sure that people had a number of ways to tell us what they thought, which included an online survey. With the designs now finalised, we’re pleased that the building work is under way.”
A private ceremony for families and loved ones to inter ashes at the Northern Cemetery memorial will take place later this summer. Next of kin will be offered a named plaque to honour their loved one free of charge, and they will receive a letter at a later date which will set out their options, including which of the memorial gardens they would want it to be located at.
Robert Bush, the owner of Hull’s Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, has been charged with a combined total of 63 offences, including preventing lawful and decent burial and theft from charities. Formerly of Kirk Ella but now of Otley, West Yorkshire, Bush, 47, is on bail with conditions and is due to appear at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday, August 13, before Judge John Thackray KC.
You can find out more about the councils’ consultation findings here. The independent charity Victim Support continues to run a dedicated helpline and support service for anyone affected by the incident on 0808 281 1136, or visit the welfare and support service web page.
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