We'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.
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 director, with a proud history dating back to 1896. As a fourth-generation family-owned business, the company has been serving the local population for more than 125 years, providing compassionate and personalised funeral arrangements to families across the Wirral peninsula and Cheshire. The Heswall branch, located at Castle Buildings on Telegraph Road, is one of several branches the company operates across the region.
Charles Stephens offers a comprehensive range of funeral services, whether families are seeking a religious or non-religious service, a burial, cremation, or green funeral. The team provides 24-hour support, seven days a week, and works closely with clients to ensure every detail of the service reflects the wishes and requirements of both the deceased and their loved ones. Services include personalised service sheets, funeral flowers, coffins and caskets, ashes keepsakes, and headstone and masonry arrangements.
The company prides itself on its highly qualified and experienced team of funeral directors and arrangers, and its immaculate fleet of Bentley and Jaguar funeral vehicles. As members of the National Association of Funeral Directors, Charles Stephens adheres to a strict Code of Practice, ensuring the highest standards of professional conduct and care for every family they serve.
"Tom and his colleagues lent an unobtrusive dignity to an occasion which, by its very nature, was both sad and stressful, making the whole process so much easier for us all."
— Malcolm Thornton (about Tom)
"Diane was so kind and caring and guided me through everything I needed to organise for the funeral. The service that was provided during the planning of the funeral and on the day of the funeral was exceptional and I can't thank them enough."
— Jayne Hughes (about Diane)
"What could have been extremely stressful was turned into a much more pleasant experience than I was expecting. Each time I visited I was always treated with kindness, sympathy and a caring listening ear."
— John Storrar (about Diane)
"I can not express my feelings about your care and kindness you showed me and my family during the time leading up to the funeral of my wife, the arrangements were carried out with the utmost care and dignity taking away all the stress we were all undergoing."
— Ron Heywood (about Diane)
"The whole team took care of me and my family in such a lovely way that it made everything feel easy at such a difficult time. They are kind, very respectful, and provide you with all the advice and assistance you need."
— Lisa Leece (about Diane)
"She helped us every step of the way and treated us like we were her only clients. She gave us as much time as we needed and helped us and supported us through each decision."
— Ellie Randall (about Diane)
Diane O'Brien
Funeral Arranger
"She helped us every step of the way and treated us like we were her only clients. She gave us as much time as we needed…"
Diane O'Brien
"She helped us every step of the way and treated us like we were her only clients. She gave us as much time as we needed…"
Gemma Stephens
Director
Gemma is the fourth generation of the Stephens family to lead the business, continuing over a century of family-owned f…
Gemma Stephens
Director
Gemma is the fourth generation of the Stephens family to lead the business.
Jeremy Stephens
Jeremy Stephens
Director
Jeremy Stephens is a senior member of the Stephens family and plays a key role in the leadership and operations of Char…
Joe Garfitt
Funeral Director
Joe Garfitt is an experienced member of the Charles Stephens team, supporting families with care and professionalism.
Joe Garfitt
Kim Leavy
Funeral Arranger
Kim Leavy is part of the compassionate Charles Stephens team, dedicated to helping families through the funeral plannin…
Kim Leavy
Mark Ashton
Mark Ashton
Funeral Arranger
Mark Ashton is praised for his attention to detail and ability to meet families' individual requests throughout the fun…
Phil Brady
Phil Brady
Funeral Director
Phil Brady is part of the experienced Charles Stephens team, helping to deliver dignified and personalised funeral serv…
Rachel Williams
Rachel Williams
Funeral Arranger
Rachel Williams works as part of the Charles Stephens team, helping families with the arrangements for their loved ones…
Richard Brady
Funeral Director
Richard Brady is part of the dedicated team at Charles Stephens, committed to providing care and support to bereaved fa…
Richard Brady
Richard McDowell
Funeral Director
Richard McDowell is an experienced member of the Charles Stephens team, supporting families through the funeral arrange…
Richard McDowell
Tom Harrahill
"Tom and his colleagues lent an unobtrusive dignity to an occasion which, by its very nature, was both sad and stressful…"
Tom Harrahill
Funeral Director
"The whole team took care of me and my family in such a lovely way that it made everything feel easy at such a difficult…"
Tom Stephens-Henderson
"Tom and his colleagues lent an unobtrusive dignity to an occasion which, by its very nature, was both sad and stressful…"
Tom Stephens-Henderson
Funeral Director
"The whole team took care of me and my family in such a lovely way that it made everything feel easy at such a difficult…"
Victoria Fletcher
Victoria Fletcher
Funeral Arranger
Victoria Fletcher is a valued member of the Charles Stephens team, committed to providing sensitive and professional fu…
Take a moment to reflect on the care you received
Not displayed publicly — used for verification only
This helps other families understand your experience
Share what your experience was like — other families will read this when choosing a funeral director
characters — please write a little more
Your review will appear on this page once verified. This usually takes 1–2 days.
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 01513426949We'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.
Serving families in WIRRAL and the surrounding area
So we can help families like yours better.
Tick all that apply.
Understanding your experience helps us help families like yours.
Your answers help us support families going through this.
You might find our step-by-step guide helpful →
