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You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and A France and Son will call you back.
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Ready to speak to someone? A free, no-obligation call can help you understand the next steps.
If anything has changed, a quick call with a specialist can confirm.
A quick call with a specialist can help you figure out what applies.
Question of 3
Did the person who died own a property?
Including any property in their name, even if jointly owned.
Were there savings, investments, or other assets?
Bank accounts, shares, pensions, or valuables above a few thousand pounds.
Was there a will?
Even if you're not sure where it is, knowing one exists can change the process.
This can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone. A probate specialist can walk you through the next steps — no obligation, no pressure.
That's one less thing to worry about. If anything changes or you'd like a quick confirmation, a specialist can put your mind at rest.
Many families don't have all the information straight away — that's completely normal. A quick chat with a specialist can help you understand what applies to your situation.
What the probate process looks like
Apply for Grant of Probate
Collect assets & close accounts
Pay debts & tax
Distribute the estate
A specialist handles all of this for you.
Trusted by thousands of families across the UK
You probably don't need to pay for the funeral yourself
The estate will likely go through probate, which means the funeral costs can be paid from the estate. You need a probate specialist to make this happen.
Sail Probate · Fixed fees, nothing upfront
Probate might not be needed
That means the funeral costs probably can't be covered this way. But every situation is different — a quick chat can confirm.
We need a bit more info
Don't worry — lots of people aren't sure at this stage. A quick chat can work out whether the funeral costs can be covered.
Want to talk it through?
Free, no obligation.
Want to check with a specialist?
Free, no obligation.
Want to find out for sure?
Free, no obligation.
Sail Probate · Trusted by thousands of families
A specialist will call you soon
Free, no-obligation advice from Sail Probate
What happens next
Request received
Just now
A specialist reviews your details
Within 1 hour
You'll receive a call
Within 24 hours
Lines open now Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · 0808 196 0258
Result saved
If you need help later, call Sail Probate free:
Lines open now Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · 0808 196 0258
We'll give you a call
A Sail Probate specialist will talk you through everything and answer any questions.
Interested in: We handle everything (£6,000)
Interested in: Just the probate application (£1,000)
Lines open now Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · 0808 196 0258
No problem
If you'd like to talk about probate or funeral costs, call Sail Probate free:
Lines open now Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · 0808 196 0258
A. France & Son is a family-owned funeral directors based at 45 Lamb's Conduit Street, Holborn, London, with a remarkable history stretching back to 1764, making it one of the oldest funeral companies in the United Kingdom. Founded by William France, the firm has served generations of families across London, including those in Holborn, King's Cross, and Hendon, and has a distinguished heritage that includes overseeing royal funerals and playing a role in Admiral Lord Nelson's state funeral in 1806.
The company prides itself on offering a compassionate, personal, and affordable service tailored to the wishes of each family. Their extensive range of funeral services includes traditional funerals, simple funerals, cremations, direct cremations, religious funerals, non-religious funerals, bespoke funerals, natural burials, and repatriation. Every aspect of the service, from coffin selection to transportation and order of service, can be customised to honour the life of the deceased.
As a trusted and proudly independent funeral director, A. France & Son holds memberships and accreditations with several leading professional bodies, including the NAFD, the British Institute of Embalmers, the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors, and the Funeral Arbitration Scheme. Their dedicated team is available to guide families through every step of the process with clarity and care.
"Jason made what could have been an overwhelming process feel calm and manageable. He guided us with such empathy, compassion, and genuine sensitivity that we felt fully supported every step of the way. On the day, the team took the time to gently talk family members through each step, ensuring everything was done at our pace."
— Jade Sophia Kpekawa (about Jason)
"From the moment she came into their care, they treated Mum with such dignity and respect, which gave us great comfort. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and they made an incredibly difficult time just that little bit easier to bear."
— Jodie (about Tom)
"Jason's reassurances helped me to relax and carry out Mum's wishes in the way she wanted her day to go. He totally understood that I wanted things to be 'memorably modest'. And special thanks to my limousine driver Danny, who recognised that 'I like to chat' and engaged with me on mine and my daughter's most difficult car journey."
— Eddy C (about Jason)
"Tom was a lifeline from our very first contact. Losing a loved one is always painful, especially when you are living in another country. Handling all the arrangements online and by email from outside the UK was a real challenge — but Tom's extensive knowledge and support made every step of the process so much easier."
— Jesus Barranco (about Tom)
"There are no words which can describe the love and care we received from Jason. The love and care from Jason and Tom goes beyond anything we could have hoped for."
— Linda Antonioni (about Jason)
"In the words of the priest conducting my dad's funeral: 'you do realise that you have chosen the best funeral director possible.' A huge burden was lifted from our shoulders when we found ourselves in Jason's expert hands — he somehow managed to obtain the impossible, organising exactly what my dad wished for very swiftly."
— Silvia Antonioli (about Jason)
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Ready to speak to someone? A free, no-obligation call can help you understand the next steps.
If anything has changed, a quick call with a specialist can confirm.
A quick call with a specialist can help you figure out what applies.
Question of 3
Did the person who died own a property?
Including any property in their name, even if jointly owned.
Were there savings, investments, or other assets?
Bank accounts, shares, pensions, or valuables above a few thousand pounds.
Was there a will?
Even if you're not sure where it is, knowing one exists can change the process.
This can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone. A probate specialist can walk you through the next steps — no obligation, no pressure.
That's one less thing to worry about. If anything changes or you'd like a quick confirmation, a specialist can put your mind at rest.
Many families don't have all the information straight away — that's completely normal. A quick chat with a specialist can help you understand what applies to your situation.
What the probate process looks like
Apply for Grant of Probate
Collect assets & close accounts
Pay debts & tax
Distribute the estate
A specialist handles all of this for you.
Trusted by thousands of families across the UK
You probably don't need to pay for the funeral yourself
The estate will likely go through probate, which means the funeral costs can be paid from the estate. You need a probate specialist to make this happen.
Sail Probate · Fixed fees, nothing upfront
Probate might not be needed
That means the funeral costs probably can't be covered this way. But every situation is different — a quick chat can confirm.
We need a bit more info
Don't worry — lots of people aren't sure at this stage. A quick chat can work out whether the funeral costs can be covered.
Want to talk it through?
Free, no obligation.
Want to check with a specialist?
Free, no obligation.
Want to find out for sure?
Free, no obligation.
Sail Probate · Trusted by thousands of families
A specialist will call you soon
Free, no-obligation advice from Sail Probate
What happens next
Request received
Just now
A specialist reviews your details
Within 1 hour
You'll receive a call
Within 24 hours
Lines open now Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · 0808 196 0258
Result saved
If you need help later, call Sail Probate free:
Lines open now Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · 0808 196 0258
We'll give you a call
A Sail Probate specialist will talk you through everything and answer any questions.
Interested in: We handle everything (£6,000)
Interested in: Just the probate application (£1,000)
Lines open now Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · 0808 196 0258
No problem
If you'd like to talk about probate or funeral costs, call Sail Probate free:
Lines open now Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · 0808 196 0258
Get in touch
Call 02074054901We'll call you back
A France and Son will be in touch shortly.
You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and A France and Son will call you back.
Free, no obligation. We'll pass your number to the director.
You've completed of 18 steps on the bereavement checklist.
Continue your checklist18 things to sort when someone dies — keep track so nothing gets missed.
See the full checklist
What to wear to a funeral in the UK: traditional expectations, modern dress codes, religious variations, what not to wear, and guidance for children.
From cremation to burial, discover what UK funerals really cost in 2026 — including a full breakdown of funeral director fees, disbursements, and regional price differences to help you plan with confidence.
The average cost of a funeral in the UK is £4,141. This guide breaks down every fee, explains regional differences, and shows you how to manage costs without compromising dignity.
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