Exhumation

get exhumantion support from head & wheble

What is Exhumation?

An exhumation involves obtaining consent from the Home Office to safely open the grave of a deceased persons remains to remove them and re-locate them or have their remains cremated. You must have authority and a reason to request an exhumation before it will be considered and is advisable by the funeral director whether it is the right thing to do and explore all the options available to the family. Requests can made by family members re-locating to a different part of the country and wanting their spouse to come with them.

Reasons for exhumation

Re-location
Recover an item
Criminal proceedings
To enable road schemes
For Cremation
Identification Purposes

Who can request an Exhumation?

Family Members (Next of Kin)
The Local Authority
The Coroner
Department for Transport
Minister of a Church

Who’s involved?

The funeral director
Home Office
Environmental Health Officer
The Coroner
Excavation Team
Family if requested

If you think you would like to request an exhumation, please get in touch with so we can talk to you about the next steps of starting the process and submitting the initial application to the Home Office involving the local cemetery or Churchyard where the deceased is interred.

Get in touch

testimonials

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
    Sophie Spurgeon 
 21 July 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Robert, James and all at H&W went above and beyond to support us during such a difficult time for the family during the recent passing of our grandmother. She didn't want a funeral but they supported us to create a small and meaningful celebration of her life before cremation and took care of everything with such care and professionalism. Highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Debbie W 
 1 July 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My brother requested no funeral, so we had a direct cremation.  I wanted to be there though to see his coffin pass through the crematorium chapel. The result was very dignified and exactly as I’d hoped. Simon Head and his team are lovely - kind, caring people who make it all look effortless but clearly work very hard to achieve this level of professionalism. I couldn’t recommend highly enough.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Emily Brittain 
 21 October 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic service, really caring and supportive throughout process
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    D “D” 
 24 July 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This lovely family really care about what they do. Sadly, I’ve had to use them twice now I lost my mother and then very recently, my father. Simon and Catherine and everybody at Head And Wheeble are also very kind, thoughtful and supportive. One meeting and then I never had to repeat anything they took care of it all and let me get involved as much as I wanted to. Thank you for helping me to get through everything.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Sarah Obrien 
 21 June 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A very caring and professional company from when they took my dad till the service they clearly care about what they do and a excellent service is provided thankyou
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Nicola Nelson 
 12 January 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot recommend them enough. So kind and sensitive. So professional. They made my father's funeral so special.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Paula Haynes 
 29 September 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. For a second time we have been in the best possible hands. Simon and his team looked after us  with absolute professionalism, warmth, understanding and humour which saw us through another unbelievably sad time. From the very beginning they were with us, and we feel that even now their kindness continues to quietly ripple through. What a wonderful bunch of people - thank you!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Maxwell 
 6 September 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I haven’t tried them out yet. But got advertised a cremation and burial for £995. Dying to try it out
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Susan King 
 6 March 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Head & Wheble are exceptional funeral directors who I can highly recommend.  My brother passed away under unfortunate circumstances and we nearly gave him a direct cremation. Thank God we came to senses the day before the cremation was due to take place. Cheryl was extremely understanding of our change of mind and reorganised everything for us at very short notice. This was all handled with kindness and nothing was too much trouble. We don't live in Bournemouth so everything was arranged over the telephone and email. Cheryl recommended a celebrant, Chris Kelly, who delivered the service with caring and professionalism.  H&W also recommended a venue for the reception afterward. The crematorium was beautiful and my brother got a decent send-off and this was all thanks to Cheryl and the team.

More Testimonials

01202 551190

get exhumantion support from head & wheble

What is Exhumation?

Reasons for exhumation

Who can request an Exhumation?

Who’s involved?

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