On 1 September 2026, the Government told Parliament it will bring forward comprehensive proposals to regulate funeral directors in England and Wales. It's the news we've been asking for since we launched our funeral regulation petition – and although it isn't yet the law we need, it's a real, formal commitment from Government.
What was announced, and by whom
Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, made a written ministerial statement to Parliament on 1 September 2026. In it, she confirmed the Government will bring forward comprehensive proposals for regulation of the funeral sector. “This will ensure families can have confidence that funeral providers are meeting clear, consistent standards, no matter where they live or which provider they choose,” she said.
The Department of Health and Social Care is leading this work, alongside the Ministry of Justice. This means the Government has now formally accepted what we, and many others, have argued for a long time. You shouldn't have to trust a funeral director who has never been inspected, licensed or held to any real standard. Soon, you won't have to.
How we got here: the Hull case and the David Fuller Inquiry
This announcement follows the sentencing, on 31 July 2026, of Robert Bush of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull. He received 20 years in prison across 67 charges, including prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud, fraudulent trading and theft.
We first wrote about this case back in 2023, when police discovered 35 bodies and a quantity of mismanaged ashes at his premises. The families involved waited years, first for answers, and then for justice.
This builds on the Government's earlier response to the David Fuller Inquiry, the public inquiry into the abuse of bodies at a mortuary run by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. It also sits alongside Sir Jonathan Michael's 2024 review, which described the funeral sector as "an unregulated free-for-all," and the 2025 conviction of Elkin & Bell, whose fraud included keeping bodies unrefrigerated for over a month.
Scotland has shown a better way is possible. Its statutory regulation, in force since 1 March 2025, gives people there proper protections that you still don't have in England and Wales. Each of these cases points to the same gap in the law, and each has added weight to the case for closing it.
What happens next
The Government has been clear that this is the start of a process, not the end of one. The Law Commission will separately review criminal law protections for the deceased, and recommend new offences if it decides they're needed.
The Government will also consult bereaved families, funeral providers, faith groups, local authorities and other stakeholders before finalising its approach. It has committed to setting out detailed plans and a timeline to Parliament "in due course."
We want to be precise about what this does and doesn't mean. No legislation has passed. No implementation date has been set. This is a Government commitment to bring forward proposals, not a change in the law. We'll keep watching closely, and we'll keep you updated as real detail emerges.
What this means for our petition
In 2026, we launched our Dignity, Security & Transparency petition, calling for exactly this outcome: independent, statutory regulation built on dignity, security and transparency, so every family can expect the same standard of care.
Over 17,500 people signed it. If you were one of them, thank you. It genuinely means a great deal. With this announcement, we're closing the petition. The Government has now formally committed to doing the thing we asked for.
How we're helping until regulation is law
We started this campaign because we believe everyone deserves the protection they already assume they have. This announcement doesn't change how we operate, because we've never waited for regulation to hold ourselves to a proper standard.
We own and run our own climate-controlled mortuaries and our own state-of-the-art crematoria. Every member of our staff is trained and DBS-checked, and we always know exactly where your loved one is, at every stage, using a hospital-style tracking system.
Until regulation becomes law, it's still worth choosing your provider carefully. Our free guide sets out the practical questions worth asking any funeral director, so you can make that choice with confidence. You can download it here.
We're glad to have played our part in reaching this moment, and grateful to everyone who signed our petition along the way.
Frequently asked questions
Is funeral regulation now law?
No. The Government has committed to bringing forward proposals for regulation in England and Wales. No legislation has been passed, and no implementation date has been announced.
What happens next?
The Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice will lead the work. The Law Commission will separately review criminal law protections and may recommend new offences. Government will consult families, funeral providers, faith groups and local authorities before setting out detailed plans.
What was Pure Cremation's petition, and why is it closing?
Our Dignity, Security & Transparency petition called for independent, statutory regulation of funeral directors. Over 17,500 people signed it. We're closing it now because the Government has formally committed to the outcome we asked for, though we'll keep pressing until it becomes law.
Do you still need to worry about choosing a funeral provider carefully?
Yes, for now. Until regulation is actually in place, there's still no legal requirement for funeral directors in England and Wales to hold qualifications, keep the deceased refrigerated, or undergo inspection. Choosing carefully still matters.
