Peter Welburn fears the ashes he was given may not be those of his late wife Shirley
By Kevin Shoesmith and Jessica Lane
BBC News
A grandfather claims he was given what he was told were his wife’s ashes only to discover her cremation did not take place until weeks later.
Peter Welburn said he paid £1,900 to Legacy Independent Funeral Directors for wife Shirley’s funeral, held on 19 December last year.
He claims he received the ashes on 23 December but said he was told on Monday his wife was not cremated until 16 January.
The BBC has contacted Legacy.
Image source, Kevin Shoesmith/BBC
Mr Welburn says Legacy gave him a box containing ashes
Mr Welburn, 72, a former trawlerman, said: “We had what we thought were Shirley’s ashes around the Christmas tree because she loved that time of year and wanted her to be close to the kids and grandkids.
“But whose ashes are in a wooden box in my living room? They’re obviously not Shirley’s. I want answers.”
Mrs Welburn, described by her husband as a “lovely and kind” woman who doted on her family, died from health complications in Hull Royal Infirmary on 25 November. She was 72.
Her funeral, attended by dozens of their family and friends, was held at Legacy’s branch in Hessle Road, Hull.
Mr Welburn said he was told by Robert Bush, listed as a director of Legacy, it would be cheaper to use Cottingley Hall Crematorium, 60 miles away in Leeds, rather than their local site.
Timeline
25 November – Shirley Welburn dies at Hull Royal Infirmary
5 December – Husband Peter Welburn pays Legacy Independent Funeral Directors £1,900 for her funeral
19 December – Mrs Welburn’s funeral is held at Legacy’s premises in Hull
23 December – Mr Welburn is given a box containing ashes by Legacy
18 March – Mr Welburn is told by Cottingley Hall Crematorium, in Leeds, his wife was cremated on 16 January this year
After police announced two people had been arrested in connection with the police investigation amid “concern for the care of the deceased”, Mr Welburn said a relative asked him if he had been given a cremation certificate.
“I wasn’t given any kind of certification,” he said. “The only pieces of paper I got were receipts from Legacy.
“So I rang the crematorium in Leeds. They confirmed to me Shirley was cremated there on January 16th.”
He said he has felt a mix of emotions, ranging from deep sorrow to extreme anger.
Mr Welburn said: “It’s only my family, the kids and grandkids, that is keeping me going.”
The walls of Mr Welburn’s home are adorned with photographs of his wife of 33 years with whom he had four children.
Mr Welburn kept the order of service from his wife’s funeral, which carries his favourite photograph of them together.
He said: “We were together 50 years in all. The photo was taken on holiday in Great Yarmouth. We had some great times together. She was so kind. She loved her family.
“Shirley didn’t deserve any of this.”
In a statement, Humberside Police said: “Given the complexities and scale of the investigation and the number of people affected, we are not in a position to comment on individual circumstances. However, we are continuing to explore numerous lines of inquiry, and where people have been identified as victims, we will be supporting them.”
In a statement, Leeds City Council said: “Leeds City Council appreciates this is an extremely distressing time for all involved.
“Officers from our bereavement services team are assisting with the ongoing investigation, and we will continue to help all relevant authorities in any way we can.”
A 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman who were arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position remain on bail as police inquiries continue.
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