An urn of ashes was given to Mr Shaw 60 days after the funeral of Rita, whom he described as “the love of his life”.
But he is now questioning whether they are those of his wife.
The retiree, who volunteers at the Hull hospice where Rita died, said the call from police had knocked him “back down the hill” of grief.
“It’s like a double whammy, it’s hit me again. Not knowing things is like torture and you just want to know one way or another”, he said.
Mr Shaw initially contacted Humberside Police through a dedicated telephone helpline set up after the bodies were found.
More than 1000 calls to the force have been made by from worried families.
Mr Shaw said he hopes to receive a call from Humberside Police later.
