Funeral Director Banned After Keeping Babies' Bodies at Home Sparks Outrage
In This Article
HIGHLIGHTS
- Amie Upton, a funeral director, has been banned from NHS maternity wards and mortuaries in Leeds after keeping babies' bodies at her home.
- Zoe Ward discovered her deceased son, Bleu, in a baby bouncer at Upton's home, leading to distress and anger.
- The funeral industry in England and Wales is unregulated, with no legal requirements for body storage or qualifications for funeral directors.
- Upton's service, Florrie's Army, was named after her own stillborn daughter and offers baby loss support and funeral services.
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust has raised several serious concerns about Upton's practices with police and relevant authorities.
A funeral director in Leeds has been barred from NHS maternity wards and mortuaries following revelations that she kept babies' bodies at her home. The decision to ban Amie Upton, 38, comes after a BBC investigation uncovered distressing practices at her baby loss support and funeral service, Florrie's Army.
Disturbing Discovery
Zoe Ward, a bereaved mother, was left horrified when she found her deceased son, Bleu, in a baby bouncer at Upton's residence. Ward had initially contacted Florrie's Army after Bleu died of brain damage at three weeks old in 2021, expecting a professional service. Instead, she was met with a scene she described as "terrifying," with her son's body placed in a living room setting, "watching" cartoons.
Ward's experience was not isolated. Another couple discovered their baby's body was kept at Upton's home, rather than a funeral home, and expressed concerns about improper storage conditions. The grandmother of one of the babies likened the situation to a "horror film."
Unregulated Industry
The funeral industry in England and Wales remains unregulated, with no legal requirements for how bodies should be stored or qualifications needed to become a funeral director. While trade organizations like the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) have codes of conduct, membership is voluntary. Upton is not a member of either organization.
Florrie's Army, named after Upton's own stillborn daughter, offers bereaved parents services such as free handprints, photographs, and baby clothing. Despite Upton's claims of only two complaints in eight years, the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust has raised multiple serious concerns with police and other authorities.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The controversy surrounding Amie Upton highlights the urgent need for regulation in the funeral industry. Without legal standards, bereaved families are vulnerable to distressing experiences. Experts suggest that implementing mandatory guidelines for body storage and funeral director qualifications could prevent similar incidents.
As authorities continue to investigate, the case may prompt legislative changes to protect grieving families. The Leeds NHS Trust's involvement underscores the seriousness of the allegations, and further scrutiny could lead to broader reforms in how funeral services are conducted across the UK.
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Funeral Director Banned After Keeping Babies' Bodies at Home Sparks Outrage
In This Article
Ethan Brooks| Published HIGHLIGHTS
- Amie Upton, a funeral director, has been banned from NHS maternity wards and mortuaries in Leeds after keeping babies' bodies at her home.
- Zoe Ward discovered her deceased son, Bleu, in a baby bouncer at Upton's home, leading to distress and anger.
- The funeral industry in England and Wales is unregulated, with no legal requirements for body storage or qualifications for funeral directors.
- Upton's service, Florrie's Army, was named after her own stillborn daughter and offers baby loss support and funeral services.
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust has raised several serious concerns about Upton's practices with police and relevant authorities.
A funeral director in Leeds has been barred from NHS maternity wards and mortuaries following revelations that she kept babies' bodies at her home. The decision to ban Amie Upton, 38, comes after a BBC investigation uncovered distressing practices at her baby loss support and funeral service, Florrie's Army.
Disturbing Discovery
Zoe Ward, a bereaved mother, was left horrified when she found her deceased son, Bleu, in a baby bouncer at Upton's residence. Ward had initially contacted Florrie's Army after Bleu died of brain damage at three weeks old in 2021, expecting a professional service. Instead, she was met with a scene she described as "terrifying," with her son's body placed in a living room setting, "watching" cartoons.
Ward's experience was not isolated. Another couple discovered their baby's body was kept at Upton's home, rather than a funeral home, and expressed concerns about improper storage conditions. The grandmother of one of the babies likened the situation to a "horror film."
Unregulated Industry
The funeral industry in England and Wales remains unregulated, with no legal requirements for how bodies should be stored or qualifications needed to become a funeral director. While trade organizations like the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) have codes of conduct, membership is voluntary. Upton is not a member of either organization.
Florrie's Army, named after Upton's own stillborn daughter, offers bereaved parents services such as free handprints, photographs, and baby clothing. Despite Upton's claims of only two complaints in eight years, the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust has raised multiple serious concerns with police and other authorities.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The controversy surrounding Amie Upton highlights the urgent need for regulation in the funeral industry. Without legal standards, bereaved families are vulnerable to distressing experiences. Experts suggest that implementing mandatory guidelines for body storage and funeral director qualifications could prevent similar incidents.
As authorities continue to investigate, the case may prompt legislative changes to protect grieving families. The Leeds NHS Trust's involvement underscores the seriousness of the allegations, and further scrutiny could lead to broader reforms in how funeral services are conducted across the UK.
Images from the Web
Related Articles
Prince William Calls for Action on UK Male Suicide Rates
UK Defence Faces Scrutiny Amid Ajax Armoured Vehicle Delays and Soldier Safety Concerns
NHS Faces Joint Surgery Delays Amid Bone Cement Shortage
Supreme Court Ruling Expands Compensation for Children Injured at Birth
UK Government's SEND Reforms: A Critical Turning Point for Special Education
Government U-turn Forces Local Elections in Lancashire and Essex Amid Reorganisation Plans