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Across the UK, a series of investigations have uncovered some troubling practices in parts of the funeral industry.

In multiple cases, bodies were found being stored or moved in ways that fall well short of what most of us would expect and what families deserve.

Remains being kept in unrefrigerated rooms, industrial warehouses, even cars that were off to be repaired and transported over long distances in ordinary vans

instead of proper funeral vehicles. What's striking is that those aren't just one-off horror stories.

Police investigations, coroner's warnings and undercover reporting all point to a bigger problem,

one that's been allowed to develop because of weak regulations and oversight.

For the families involved, the impact has been devastating,

and national reviews have made it clear.

Unless tougher rules are brought in,

this kind of unsafe and undignified handling is

likely to keep happening, largely hidden from public view. There are thousands of incredible

funeral directors in the UK. How can we be sure that we're picking one of those to take care of our loved one?

I'm Naomi Channel and this is episode two of grave concerns.

Thank you. The The In the UK, the phrase shadow funeral services isn't an official legal term, but you might have heard it from journalists, regulators, or people who work in the industry.

It's shorthand for the less visible parts of the funeral industry that operate in the gaps between the mortuaries and the funeral directors.

Generally, it refers to businesses or individuals who are handling the dead,

sometimes without the right facilities, training or clear accountability.

It's work that happens out of sight, and in some cases,

without the safeguards, most people would assume,

are in place. Currently, there are no rules or regulations in the UK when it comes to transporting

...