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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.
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 largest and longest established independent funeral directors, with a history dating back to 1896. A fourth-generation family owned business, they are wholly committed to providing the very best funeral care across their extensive network of branches throughout the Wirral and Cheshire, including their West Kirby branch on Banks Road.
The company offers a comprehensive range of services, whether families are looking for a religious or non-religious service, a burial, cremation, or green funeral. 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 service for every loved one. Charles Stephens also provides 24-hour support, seven days a week.
The team at Charles Stephens prides itself on listening to individual needs and creating personalised funerals that aptly suit each family's requirements — from arranging special funeral flowers and personalising service sheets, to passing and pausing at a special place en-route to the service. They are members of the National Association of Funeral Directors and adhere to a strict Code of Practice, and also offer pre-paid funeral plans provided by Ecclesiastical Planning Services.
"Took care of my Dad after his passing and helped our family with all the pertinent arrangements in the kindest and most empathetic manner."
— Tim Lewis (about Richard, Alan)
Diane O'Brien
Funeral Arranger
Diane O'Brien is a caring member of the Charles Stephens team, providing compassionate support to families throughout t…
Diane O'Brien
Gemma Stephens
Director
Gemma is the fourth generation of the Stephens family to lead the business, continuing the family legacy of providing e…
Gemma Stephens
Director
Gemma is the fourth generation of the Stephens family.
Jeremy Stephens
Jeremy Stephens
Director
Jeremy Stephens is a senior member of the Stephens family and plays a key role in leading the business.
Joe Garfitt
Funeral Director
Joe Garfitt is a professional member of the Charles Stephens team, dedicated to supporting families through their time …
Joe Garfitt
Kim Leavy
Funeral Arranger
Kim Leavy is a dedicated member of the Charles Stephens team, offering professional and empathetic assistance to bereav…
Kim Leavy
Mark Ashton
Mark Ashton
Funeral Director
Mark Ashton is a highly regarded member of the Charles Stephens team, known for his attention to detail and care for fa…
Phil Brady
Phil Brady
Funeral Director
Phil Brady is an experienced member of the Charles Stephens team, committed to delivering the highest standard of funer…
Rachel Williams
Rachel Williams
Funeral Director
Rachel Williams is a compassionate member of the Charles Stephens team, providing support and guidance to bereaved fami…
Richard Brady
Funeral Director
Richard Brady is a dedicated member of the Charles Stephens team, committed to providing compassionate funeral care.
Richard Brady
Richard McDowell
Funeral Director
Richard McDowell is an experienced member of the Charles Stephens team, dedicated to supporting families through the fu…
Richard McDowell
Tom Harrahill
Tom Harrahill
Funeral Director
Tom Harrahill is a dedicated member of the Charles Stephens team, providing empathetic and professional funeral care.
Tom Stephens-Henderson
Tom Stephens-Henderson
Funeral Director
Tom Stephens-Henderson is a valued member of the Charles Stephens team, praised by families for his kindness and compas…
Victoria Fletcher
Victoria Fletcher
Funeral Arranger
Victoria Fletcher is a committed member of the Charles Stephens team, providing compassionate guidance and support to f…
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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 01516256030We'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 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.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors serving Billinge, Merseyside. All members uphold a strict Code of Practice, giving your family the care and protection you deserve.
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