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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 and largest independent funeral directors, with a history dating back to 1896. Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, the business has been serving the communities of Wirral and Cheshire for over 125 years, providing personalised and compassionate funeral care to families during their most difficult times. The Neston branch, located at 11 The Cross on Neston High Street, is one of an extensive network of branches and Chapels of Rest across the peninsula.
Charles Stephens offers a comprehensive range of funeral services, including religious and non-religious services, burials, cremations, and green funerals. The team is supported by an immaculate fleet of Bentley and Jaguar funeral vehicles, and all staff are highly qualified and experienced. The company prides itself on listening closely to each family's individual needs, crafting personalised arrangements that may include special funeral flowers, bespoke service sheets, ashes keepsakes, and thoughtful touches such as pausing at a meaningful location en route to the service.
As a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors, Charles Stephens adheres to a strict Code of Practice ensuring the highest standards of professionalism and care. The company also offers pre-paid funeral plans through Ecclesiastical Planning Services and provides 24-hour support, seven days a week.
"We have now used Charles Stephens Funeral Directors in Neston twice within 12 months. On both occasions we were treated very professionally and shown great kindness and care."
— Andrea Sneddon
"Thank you in particular to Mark Ashton for helping us prepare for my mum's funeral and to Tom for caring for us on the day of the funeral."
— Rebecca Monti (about Mark Ashton, Tom)
"CS provided compassionate and professional guidance during this extremely difficult time. Mark, Pippa, Tom and all of the bearers and drivers really looked after us and made sure everything ran smoothly."
— S Kyffin (about Mark, Pippa, Tom)
"I'm very grateful for the care given to him by Pippa, her kind words meant a lot at a difficult time. On the day of the funeral I felt very much looked after by Charles Stephens, especially Richard, the funeral was everything I wanted for my father."
— Jeanette Finn (about Pippa, Richard)
"They were extremely helpful, empathic, respectful and kind. They also provided gentle advice and answered all communications immediately and so alleviated any anxieties I had at such a sad and daunting time."
— Colin Harthman
"From the moment we got in touch, the very first phone call, the preparations and arrangements on the day, every little detail, they gave our loved one the best care possible. Nothing was too much trouble and all our wishes were made possible."
— S Kyffin (about Mark, Pippa, Tom)
Diane O'Brien
Funeral Arranger
Diane O'Brien is part of the Charles Stephens team, offering compassionate support to families during the funeral arran…
Gemma Stephens
Director
Gemma is the fourth generation of the Stephens family to lead the business, continuing over 125 years of family funeral…
Jeremy Stephens
Director
Jeremy Stephens is a director at Charles Stephens Funeral Directors, part of the family leadership team.
Joe Garfitt
Funeral Arranger
Joe Garfitt is a member of the Charles Stephens team, helping families arrange meaningful and personalised funerals.
Kim Leavy
Funeral Arranger
Kim Leavy is a member of the Charles Stephens team, supporting families with care and professionalism.
Mark Ashton
Funeral Arranger
Mark Ashton is a dedicated member of the Charles Stephens team, noted for his attention to detail and care for families.
Phil Brady
Funeral Director
Phil Brady is a member of the Charles Stephens funeral team, providing professional and compassionate support to bereav…
Rachel Williams
Funeral Arranger
Rachel Williams is a valued member of the Charles Stephens team, assisting families with funeral arrangements.
Richard Brady
Funeral Director
Richard Brady is a dedicated member of the Charles Stephens team, supporting families through the funeral arrangement p…
Richard McDowell
Funeral Director
Richard McDowell is a member of the Charles Stephens team, providing professional funeral care to families across the W…
Tom Harrahill
Funeral Arranger
Tom Harrahill is part of the dedicated Charles Stephens team, supporting families throughout the funeral process.
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 a valued member of the Charles Stephens team, assisting families through the funeral arrangement p…
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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 01513364184We'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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