A disturbing case from Leeds has sparked national outrage after revelations that a funeral director allegedly kept the bodies of deceased infants in her home. Amie Upton, 38, who runs the funeral service Florrie’s Army, is at the centre of serious allegations from grieving families.
Zoe Ward, 32, lost her three-week-old son Bleu in 2021 due to a brain injury. Expecting professional and respectful handling of her child’s body, Zoe was horrified when she was led not to a funeral parlour but to Upton’s private residence. There, she found Bleu’s body placed in a baby bouncer in the living room, with cartoons playing on the television. Upton greeted her casually, stating they were watching “PJ Masks”.
Zoe described the environment as distressing and inappropriate, citing unclean conditions, the presence of a cat scratcher, and barking dogs. Most shockingly, she also noticed the body of another deceased baby on the sofa. In panic, she contacted her mother and demanded her son’s body be removed immediately.
Another couple, Sharon and Paul, reported a similar experience earlier this year. They had entrusted Upton with their stillborn daughter, expecting her to be taken to a chapel in Headingley. Instead, Upton later admitted the body was at her home, around eight miles away. The couple claimed the baby was not stored at the correct temperature, causing a strong odour. They subsequently transferred their daughter to another funeral provider.
The Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust responded by banning Upton from its mortuary and maternity wards and introduced additional security protocols. West Yorkshire Police investigated both incidents from 2021 and consulted with regulatory bodies. However, they concluded there was no evidence of a criminal offence.
Despite the absence of legal action, the case has intensified scrutiny of the UK funeral industry, which currently lacks strict regulation. A government spokesperson acknowledged the emotional toll on the affected families and confirmed that steps are being considered to enforce higher standards within the sector.
Upton has defended her record, stating she has received only two complaints in eight years. Nonetheless, the harrowing testimonies have ignited a broader debate on the ethical responsibilities and oversight of funeral service providers.
