Families were reunited with sentimental items such as flags, sports shirts, and wedding photos, helping restore dignity after breaches of trust observed by the crisis team; some items remain unclaimed and will be held for further instructions.

The case has intensified calls for tighter regulation of the funeral industry, which currently has minimal oversight compared with other sectors.

Politicians and victims’ groups note there are no existing laws governing undertakers, prompting a government-commissioned review of the industry in late 2024.

Former funeral director Robert Bush pleaded guilty to 30 offences related to mismanaging ashes and fraudulent funeral plans at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, as part of a wider case involving 35 bodies and more than 100 sets of ashes.

Bush was bailed until the next court date as the case proceeds.

Authorities described the scene as shocking negligence, noting possessions were discarded or bagged with rubbish rather than placed in coffins.

Hull City Council appointed a crisis team in April 2024 to manage removal and return of bodies, ashes, and items after police involvement and the initial discovery.

Bush admitted 30 charges of fraud by false representation connected to handling remains of over 150 individuals, plus four foetus fraud allegations and one charge of fraudulent trading concerning funeral plans spanning 2012 to 2024.

He also pleaded guilty to 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial and one theft charge concerning charitable donations.

Authorities recovered large quantities of ashes at the site, many with name labels, and found some families had already received ashes that did not belong to their relatives; identifying individual ashes was hampered by high cremation temperatures.

The report is breaking news with updates expected as details emerge.

Sentencing is scheduled for late July, with prosecutors indicating around 240 victim impact statements and a likely custodial sentence.