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You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and Charles Stephens will call you back.
Free, no obligation. We'll pass your number to the director.
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
Charles Stephens Funeral Directors is the Wirral's longest established independent funeral director, with a history dating back to 1896. As a fourth-generation family owned business, they are wholly committed to providing the very best funeral care, whether families are looking for a religious or non-religious service, a burial, cremation, or green funeral. With branches throughout the Wirral and Cheshire, including their Claughton branch at 32 Upton Road, Birkenhead, they offer 24-hour support, seven days a week.
The company prides itself on a highly personalised approach, working closely with families to hear and act upon their individual wishes, from arranging special funeral flowers and personalised service sheets to ensuring the cortege passes by meaningful locations. Their immaculate fleet of Bentley and Jaguar funeral vehicles, combined with a team of highly qualified and experienced Funeral Directors and Arrangers, ensures the highest quality of service.
Charles Stephens is a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors and adheres to their strict Code of Practice. They also offer pre-paid funeral plans through Ecclesiastical Planning Services, as well as unattended direct cremation options for those seeking a simpler alternative.
"On the day, Tom and his colleagues gave us a first class service. They were professional, helpful, respectful, unobtrusive and dignified. We could not have asked any more of the Charles Stephens team."
— G MacGee (about Tom)
"From start to finish Charles Stephens were nothing but kind, courteous and professional, making a very difficult time run as smoothly as possible."
— Debra Ann Melling
"Kim kept us fully informed throughout, gave advice where required and was in constant touch. This was very reassuring. We could not have asked for a better service."
— G MacGee (about Kim)
"A special mention for Kim at Claughton office who was so kind and caring. Our whole experience has been stress free and all of our wishes for mum were met with no problems."
— Janet (about Kim)
"Kim is a absolute treasure. Very professional service, each and every member of staff show empathy & compassion and much understanding. Extremely supportive & nothing is a bother, high standards of care & dignity given."
— Patricia Byrne (about Kim)
"wonderful care, compassion and empathy shown by Kim, and on the day of my dads service, Gavin and his team were dignified, respectful and totally professional."
— Graham Jones (about Kim, Gavin)
Diane O'Brien
Funeral Director
Diane O'Brien is a member of the professional team at Charles Stephens Funeral Directors.
Gemma Stephens
Director
Gemma is the fourth generation of the Stephens family to lead the business, continuing a proud tradition of family-run …
Jeremy Stephens
Director
Jeremy Stephens is a key member of the family leadership team at Charles Stephens Funeral Directors.
Joe Garfitt
Funeral Director
Joe Garfitt is part of the professional team at Charles Stephens Funeral Directors.
Kim Leavy
Funeral Director
"Kim is an absolute treasure. Very professional service, each and every member of staff show empathy & compassion and mu…"
Mark Ashton
Funeral Director
Mark Ashton is praised by families for his attention to detail and ability to meet any requests.
Phil Brady
Funeral Director
Phil Brady is a dedicated member of the Charles Stephens Funeral Directors team.
Rachel Williams
Funeral Director
Rachel Williams is a member of the professional team at Charles Stephens Funeral Directors.
Richard Brady
Funeral Director
Richard Brady is part of the dedicated team at Charles Stephens Funeral Directors.
Richard McDowell
Funeral Director
Richard McDowell is an experienced member of the Charles Stephens team.
Tom Harrahill
Funeral Director
"On the day, Tom and his colleagues gave us a first class service. They were professional, helpful, respectful, unobtrus…"
Tom Stephens-Henderson
Funeral Director
"On the day, Tom and his colleagues gave us a first class service. They were professional, helpful, respectful, unobtrus…"
Victoria Fletcher
Funeral Director
Victoria Fletcher is a member of the experienced team at Charles Stephens Funeral Directors.
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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 01516530077We'll call you back
Charles Stephens will be in touch shortly.
You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and Charles Stephens 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
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors in Birkenhead, Merseyside. All members follow a strict Code of Practice, giving your family the care and protection it deserves.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors across Liverpool and Merseyside. Every listed director is independently vetted, follows a strict Code of Practice, and is rated by the families they serve.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors in Bebington, Merseyside. All members follow a strict Code of Practice, giving your family the care and protection you deserve.
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