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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 longest established independent funeral directors, with a history dating back to 1896. A fourth-generation family owned business, they operate branches across Wirral and Cheshire, including their branch at 31 Mellock Lane, Little Neston. With over 125 years of experience, the company is 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.
The Neston branch, like all Charles Stephens locations, benefits from the company's 24-hour support, seven days a week, along with an immaculate fleet of Bentley and Jaguar funeral vehicles. Their highly qualified and experienced team listens carefully to each family's needs, creating personalised funeral arrangements that aptly honour their loved ones. Services offered include funeral flowers, personalised service sheets, coffins and caskets, ashes keepsakes, headstone and masonry, and prepaid funeral plans provided by Ecclesiastical Planning Services.
As members of the National Association of Funeral Directors, Charles Stephens adhere to a robust Code of Practice ensuring the highest standards of professional conduct. They also offer a £100 prompt payment discount for accounts settled in full three days before the funeral date.
Diane O'Brien
Diane O'Brien
Funeral Arranger
Diane O'Brien is a caring member of the Charles Stephens team, helping families navigate funeral arrangements with empa…
Gemma Stephens
Director
Gemma is the fourth generation of the Stephens family to lead the business, continuing a proud tradition of family-run …
Gemma Stephens
Director
Gemma is the fourth generation of the Stephens family business.
Jeremy Stephens
Jeremy Stephens
Director
Jeremy Stephens is a senior member of the Stephens family involved in the leadership of Charles Stephens Funeral Direct…
Joe Garfitt
Joe Garfitt
Funeral Director
Joe Garfitt is an experienced member of the Charles Stephens funeral team, providing dignified and professional funeral…
Kim Leavy
Funeral Arranger
Kim Leavy is a supportive member of the Charles Stephens team, dedicated to guiding families through the funeral planni…
Kim Leavy
Mark Ashton
Funeral Arranger
Mark Ashton is a valued member of the Charles Stephens team, praised for his attention to detail and ability to meet fa…
Mark Ashton
Phil Brady
Phil Brady
Funeral Director
Phil Brady is part of the experienced Charles Stephens team, supporting families across Wirral and Cheshire with profes…
Rachel Williams
Funeral Arranger
Rachel Williams is a member of the Charles Stephens team, helping families through the funeral arrangement process with…
Rachel Williams
Richard Brady
Richard Brady
Funeral Director
Richard Brady is part of the experienced Charles Stephens team, dedicated to supporting families with compassionate and…
Richard McDowell
Richard McDowell
Funeral Director
Richard McDowell is a qualified member of the Charles Stephens team, providing professional funeral care to families ac…
Tom Harrahill
Tom Harrahill
Funeral Director
Tom Harrahill is a dedicated member of the Charles Stephens funeral team, committed to delivering dignified and persona…
Tom Stephens-Henderson
Tom Stephens-Henderson
Funeral Director
Tom Stephens-Henderson is a key member of the Charles Stephens team, praised by families for his kindness and compassio…
Victoria Fletcher
Funeral Arranger
Victoria Fletcher is part of the professional Charles Stephens team, committed to providing compassionate support to be…
Victoria Fletcher
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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 01513531954We'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 Neston, Cheshire. All members follow a strict Code of Practice, giving your family the care and protection you deserve.
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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