Mission Statement
To provide a unique and personal service: comforting the bereaved families we serve and providing a dignified and fitting tribute to the deceased.
To be a funeral service provider of the finest quality every family can rely on in their time of need.
To achieve our clients’ complete trust in our professional skills and knowledge, to meet their individual needs and to exceed their expectations.
To provide a service that consistently exceeds expectations in a compassionate, personal, and thoroughly professional manner.
NAFD Code of Practice
This Code of practice is founded on the following eleven mandatory principles. Any failure to operate in accordance with these principles will constitute a breach of this Code.
Members Must:
1. Act in the best interests of each client, and prospective client;
2. Provide the best possible level of care to bereaved people, keeping in mind the specific needs of each client and family;
3. Respect and maintain the dignity of deceased people in your care at all times;
4. Act transparently, with honesty and integrity;
5. Provide clients will full and fair information about services, products and associated prices;
6. Behave in a way that promotes and maintains public trust in their business, the funeral directing profession and related industries;
7. Comply with all legal and regulatory obligations and deal with their regulators in an open, timely and cooperative manner;
8. Run their business effectively and in accordance with proper governance and sound risk management principles;
9. Run their business in a way that encourages equality of opportunity and respect for diversity;
10. Run their business in a way that encourages a culture that values and welcomes both negative and positive feedback as a way of putting things right and continuously improving service; and
11. Conduct appropriate due diligence in relation to all third-party contractual relationships that have the potential to negatively impact clients.
Our History
From these early beginnings, the family business grew year after year, with recommendations to others of their service to the community. Our founder, George Head, established his Funeral Service in 1926 at 1a Oxford Road, Lansdowne, Bournemouth where the present generations continue to this day. In 1943, George Head formed a partnership with another existing Funeral Director, Charles Wheble. Both partners, supported by their wives, were leading lights in their respective churches and clubs.
In 1946, following his service in the Royal Navy, Philip Head joined his father and entered the family business. Ably supported and encouraged by his wife Esmé. Maintaining and developing strong friendships and relationships within the community Philip upheld family traditions within the funeral sector whilst carrying the business forward.
With the importance of trust and compassion during bereavement, Philip welcomed his Son and Grandson of our founder, Simon in 1992 alongside wife, Catherine. Both still currently involved with the day to day operations, their efforts have been paramount to achieving a long established family business to the current day.
Entering the business in 2016 their two sons, James and Robert now the fourth generation are retaining the strong family influence that surrounds a traditional family firm ensuring longevity for future years and generations. Since the early years, attitudes towards death and what is expected of a Funeral Director have changed. However, the Head family continue to serve the community by adopting the strong principles laid down by the founders and applying them to their services provided today with every modern facility.
Meet The team
Simon Head
Funeral Director
DipFD & MBIFD
Working Days: Mon – Fri
Owner of Head & Wheble and 3rd Generation funeral director of the Head family. Having been surrounded by his family’s work since he was young, he now celebrates 35 years since becoming qualified. Continuing the vocation his grandfather bestowed upon the generations, he leads by example. Supporting many charities, he is a musician, singer and keen lover of Opera. Capable of sleeping anywhere, he also tends to avoid eating what’s good for him, vegetables.
Cheryl Miller
Funeral Director
Working days: Tue– Thur
Cheryl has been with Head & Wheble Since 2023. Starting her career with A.V Rideout in Highcliffe – a family independent funeral home she sees the resemblance of the personal service offered in this environment. Boasting a wealth of knowledge arranging and conducting funerals. With a great easy-going personality, you will find familiarity in her company. Cheryll is a doting Nan to her grandchildren with a passion for cruising with her husband Glen.
Robert Head
Funeral Director & Monumental Mason
DipFD, FAA, DipFD & MBIFD
Working days: Mon-Fri
Passionate about his work. Robert has been the Monumental Mason at Head & Wheble for 15 years covering all aspects of stonework. Newly qualified funeral director he now has the ability to advise families and friends on all aspects during bereavement. 4th Generation funeral director he follows in the footsteps of his peers to serve his local community.
Catherine Head
Receptionist
Working days: Mon – Tue
Supporting wife to Simon and Mum to James & Robert. Catherine works two days a week to help with the day-to-day running of the business and answer any calls. Keeping her boys in check, she is the glue that holds everything together. A calming and friendly voice who is there to assist in any matter of bereavement. Catherine enjoys exercising, cooking & baking and supporting her local church through flower arranging.
Patricia Whalley
Receptionist
Working days: Wed – Fri
A great family friend. Patricia has been the rock of our reception for over 15 years. With the ability to guide you through the process of what’s involved with planning and arranging a funeral. A friendly understanding voice to help you with the next steps. In her spare time Patricia enjoys spending time with her family and playing golf.
James Head
Funeral Services Operative
Working days: Mon – Fri
The eldest Son to Simon & Catherine, James has been involved with Head & Wheble for 20 years. He has many roles that are essential and not seen by many but are required for the funeral home to operate efficiently. With claims of being the best limousine driver in the South of England he has a lot of experience driving in a cortege. His many passions include his love for racehorses, padel tennis and food documenting and blogging them.
Members Association
BIFD – British Institute of Funeral Directors
Welcome to the British Institute of Funeral Directors. Founded in 1982, we are one of the leading providers of education and Continuing Professional Development within the funeral profession. In addition to our CPD courses which enable practitioners to become eligible for the Licence to Practice offered by the Institute, we also provide two nationally recognised courses, the Certificate in Funeral Service and the Diploma in Funeral Service. Both courses are accredited by the University of Greenwich.
Our mantra is ‘Educating the Profession’. When you become a member of the BIFD, you can give your clients peace of mind about your qualifications and dedication to delivering an exceptional standard of service that is aligned with our Code of Ethics. If you would like to find out more about our training and membership, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
By becoming a BIFD member you demonstrate to those requiring a Funeral Director that you have the necessary professional qualifications. BIFD membership also demonstrates that you commit yourself to ongoing professional development.
Just a few benefits you can expect from joining our Institute include:
- Ability to network with like-minded professionals all over the nation.
- Access to accredited Tutors, education and training that will help to support your career.
- A monthly magazine exclusively for Members that provides a wealth of industry information plus an Education Section for individuals seeking CPD.
- Receipt of regular newsletters with news of networking opportunities, developments, and events.
- Quarterly regional meetings in locations where Educational Sessions are offered. Educational Sessions may also be offered at other times of the year.
- A monthly journal & monthly newsletter.
- Monthly Regional/National Meetings.
Our Licence to Practice is issued on an annual basis to BIFD Members who have dedicated themselves to 12 hours of approved Continuous Professional Development throughout each year. This scheme was developed to encourage best practice within the funeral profession. The licence scheme alongside our ‘Look for the Licence’ logo aims to reassure the public that they will receive a professional standard of service. Licence holders are also promoted through the BIFD.
NAFD - National Association of Funeral Directors
As the largest and most inclusive representative body for the UK funeral profession, the National Association of Funeral Directors supports its members in delivering high standards of care for those who have died and provides bereaved people with information and assurance to help them choose a compassionate, professional and experienced funeral director that they can trust.
Established in 1905, the NAFD represents the entire spectrum of funeral directing businesses, including independent and family-owned firms, co-operatives and major funeral groups, NAFD represents more than 4,100 UK funeral homes, as well as international firms and suppliers to the sector – providing advice, advocacy, education and support to help them meet the highest professional standards.
Funeral homes that are members of the NAFD are inspected regularly and must abide by the Funeral Director Code. Should you be unhappy with any aspect of their service, the NAFD offers an independent complaints service, NAFD Resolve, providing reassurance that any concerns will be properly addressed.
In addition, you can expect NAFD members to:
- Provide you with a wide range of choices, and work with you to arrange any specific funeral wishes the deceased person or family might have, or any financial considerations you might be working with.
- Care for your loved one as if they were a member of their own family, ensuring that all your requests for their care are met.
- Be experienced in all of the steps that need to happen after a death, ensuring all of the necessary paperwork is completed ahead of the funeral service.
- Support you with any specific funeral faith or cultural rituals, or sourcing the appropriate support if they are unable to deliver any aspect of these customs themselves.
- Be there when you need them. Most NAFD members operate a 24-hour helpline so you can contact them whenever you need their support.
The NAFD has four core values that guide everything it does.
- Progressive – the NAFD leads not follows – and is always looking to develop it’s insight, services and expertise
- Inclusive – the NAFD seeks to understand, support and reflect the needs of all stakeholders
- Knowledgeable – the NAFD works hard to ensure it is considered an expert witness and source of insight on funeral matters and is committed to continuously improving its understanding.
- Trustworthy – the NAFD is responsible, respectful and dependable; it inspires confidence and acts with integrity.
SAIF - Society of Allied Independent Funeral
SAIF was established in 1989 to support independent, mostly family-owned funeral directors, concerned about the proliferation of larger conglomerates. We currently have around 1000 members across 1,850 sites, as well as an additional 100 Associate members who supply products or services to the funeral profession.
SAIF’s Role for funeral directors:
- To promote best practice and protect the interests of our members and their local communities.
- To represent the views of our members at a national and local level, including at all levels in government.
- To provide training and education programmes to ensure members meet the highest of standards.
Find out about becoming a Funeral Director Member here.
SAIF’s role for bereaved families:
- Bereaved families can be assured of a compassionate, professional approach, underpinned by our industry leading Code of Practice.
- We have stringent conditions for membership, which includes demonstrating a sound trading history and suitable premises. Members are regularly inspected against the Code of Practice.
- SAIF Care bereavement support and a Consumer Protection Scheme.
New Privacy Policy: https://saif.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/SAIF-Privacy-Policy.pdf
Online Privacy Policy: https://saif.org.uk/online-privacy-policy/
Code of Practice: https://saif.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Code-of-Practice-5-22.pdf
MBIE - Institute of Embalmers
The British Institute of Embalmers was founded in 1927 by a group of 15 Funeral Directors who recognised the need for a separate organisation for the professional embalmer.
The ‘Memorandum of Association’ lists 19 Objectives for which the Institute was established. Many of these are legal statements concerning the activities in which the Institute may be concerned and, whilst vital for the correct functioning of the Institute, are not directly concerned with embalming itself.
Those, which give the clue to the purpose of the Institute, are as follows:-
(a) To support and protect the status, character and interests of persons professing or practising the art or science of embalming the dead.
(b) To promote the efficient tuition of persons seeking to study and practise the said art or science.
(c) To encourage, by providing lectures and tuition and by testing by examination or otherwise, and by awarding certificates, prizes and distinctions, and by instituting and establishing grants, rewards and other benefactions, the study and practice of improved methods:
(i) For preserving and disinfecting bodies of the dead;
(ii) For preventing or lessening the danger of such bodies propagating disease;
(iii) Of branches of knowledge having relation to the treatment, sanitation and disposal of such bodies.
(d) To consider all questions affecting the interests of persons engaged in embalming, sanitation, and disposal of the bodies of the dead, and to initiate and watch over, and, if thought desirable, to petition Parliament, or promote deputation’s in relation to any to any public measure affecting any matters aforesaid, and to promote improvements in the principles and administration of the law relating to the treatment and disposal of the bodies of the dead.”
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