Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed support for increased regulation of funeral homes and mortuaries following the sentencing of funeral director Robert Bush to 20 years in prison. Burnham extended his condolences to the families affected by Bush’s crimes during a statement issued after the verdict.

The call for tighter oversight comes amid ongoing efforts to address serious abuses within the funeral sector. A separate independent inquiry into the actions of David Fuller, who was found to have sexually abused the bodies of at least 100 deceased women and girls in hospital mortuaries, also recommended enhanced regulatory measures.

Burnham affirmed his commitment to implementing the recommendations from the Fuller inquiry, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the dignity of the deceased and protecting the families of victims from further trauma. "This needs a proper response in terms of the regulation needed, to make sure no family goes through that again," he said.

The government’s move toward stricter regulation follows widespread public concern about the failings in oversight that allowed both Bush and Fuller to commit their offenses over extended periods. Details from the inquiries highlighted systemic vulnerabilities within the funeral and mortuary sectors, prompting calls for comprehensive reform.

The government is expected to outline its specific plans for regulatory changes in due course as it works to restore public confidence in funeral service providers and mortuary operations.