- Funeral director Amie Upton was banned from NHS mortuaries and maternity wards in Leeds.
- She allegedly kept babies’ bodies at her home, prompting complaints from grieving families.
- The funeral industry in England is unregulated, with no legal standards for body storage.
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust raised concerns with police and safeguarding authorities.
- The government is considering new regulations to protect bereaved families.
A disturbing investigation has revealed that a Leeds-based funeral director, Amie Upton, kept the bodies of deceased babies at her home, prompting Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust to ban her from all NHS maternity wards and mortuaries earlier this year.
Upton, who runs a baby loss support and funeral service called Florrie’s Army, came under scrutiny after multiple families raised concerns about how their children’s remains were handled. One grieving mother discovered her son’s body placed in a baby bouncer in Upton’s living room, surrounded by pets and household clutter. Another couple learned their stillborn daughter had been kept at Upton’s home without their consent, rather than at the funeral parlour they were told would be used.
The revelations have sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for regulation in England’s funeral industry, which currently lacks legal standards for body storage and professional qualifications. Upton is not a member of any national funeral trade associations, and her practices have drawn criticism from industry professionals and bereaved families alike.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust confirmed it had received multiple serious complaints about Upton’s services over the years and had referred the matter to police, safeguarding bodies, and the coroner’s office. Although West Yorkshire Police investigated two reports, no criminal charges were filed.
The government has acknowledged the distress caused and stated it is reviewing options to improve standards across the funeral sector.
