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Attended Cremation
£1,700
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
Douglas Mercer and Son Funeral Directors was founded in 1897.
Our dedicated teams at our St-Leonards-on-Sea funeral home are committed to creating tailored funerals that reflect the unique life of your loved one.
We can be contacted 24 hours a day, by telephone, and are here to discuss your needs. Or if you prefer, we can visit your home to discuss funeral arrangements.
"Nick has been fantastic and has looked after our mum with dignity and respect. Nick, we can't thank you enough for your time and patience, as well as looking after mum. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
— Paul Almond (about Nick)
"Jane was very sensitive from start to finish, always putting my feelings first. Thank you for making a very difficult time easier to cope with."
— Brian Blake (about Jane)
"She has supported us through this difficult time and has guided us in making our mum's final time as loving as possible. Thank you for the amazing service at a time that is remembered by families forever."
— Anita Ivimy (about Molly)
"Molly worked her magic to make this all happen seamlessly. I know that when we look back on this day in years to come, we will only have the best memories."
— Julie Davies (about Molly)
"Her gentle guidance and genuine empathy made everything so much easier for us to manage. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and she ensured every detail was handled with care and respect. We truly felt that Mercer's went above and beyond — they were absolutely incredible."
— Susie Thomas (about Molly)
"From the very first difficult phone call requesting the collection of my father's body, right up to the end of the funeral service itself, we were all shown nothing but kindness and compassion. Jane, you have the most beautiful soul and have clearly found a vocation."
— Christina Green (about Jane)
Alex Bayley
Team Member
Alex Bayley is part of the team at the St Leonards funeral home.
Alex Bayley
Team Member
Gill
Team Member
Member of the team at Douglas Mercer & Son Funeral Directors in St Leonards-on-Sea.
Gill
Team Member
Gill
Team Member
Gill is part of the dedicated team at the St Leonards funeral home.
Henk Van Aalst
Team Member
Henk Van Aalst is part of the team at the St Leonards funeral home.
Henk Van Aalst
Team Member
Molly
Funeral Arranger
"Molly was incredibly attentive, patient, and understanding throughout the entire process. Her gentle guidance and genui…"
Molly
Funeral Arranger
"A special thank you to Molly, who was incredibly attentive, patient, and understanding throughout the entire process. H…"
Molly
Funeral Arranger
"Her gentle guidance and genuine empathy made everything so much easier for us to manage. Nothing was ever too much trou…"
Nick
Team Member
"Nick has been fantastic and has looked after our mum with dignity and respect. Nick, we can't thank you enough for your…"
Nick
Team Member
"Nick has been fantastic and has looked after our mum with dignity and respect. Nick, we can't thank you enough for your…"
Nick
Team Member
"Nick has been fantastic and has looked after our mum with dignity and respect. Nick, we can't thank you enough for your…"
Peter Noakes
Team Member
Peter Noakes
Team Member
Peter Noakes is part of the team at the St Leonards funeral home.
Peter Noakes
Team Member
Member of the team at Douglas Mercer & Son Funeral Directors in St Leonards-on-Sea.
Rachel Chorlton
Team Member
Rachel Chorlton is part of the team at the St Leonards funeral home.
Rachel Chorlton
Team Member
Member of the team at Douglas Mercer & Son Funeral Directors in St Leonards-on-Sea.
Rachel Chorlton
Team Member
Julie Davies
2 months ago
All my family and I would like to highly recommend the services of Molly at Douglas Mercer and Son. My Dad was fortunate to live a very long life, and we were keen to have a celebration of that life in the way that he would have enjoyed if he was with us. Yes that included a horse drawn carriage, a light hearted ceremony and an endless supply of tea at the wake. Molly worked her magic to make this all happen seamlessly. She coordinated horses, flowers, the celebrant, the music and images for the service and the attendees. On the day of the ceremony, Molly was in attendance throughout,thoughtfully giving suggestions and support to keep us to time and where we were meant to be. I know that when we look back on this day in years to come, we will only have the best memories. Molly - thank you so much Julie
alison pelling
3 months ago
Thankyou to everyone involved in my husbands funeral especially Nick, everyone was so caring and kind and made things go so smoothly. Would definitely recommend them to family, friends and colleagues in the future, thanks again for the care and attention.
Anita Ivimy
5 months ago
I would like to thank Douglas Mercer & Son for the compassion, empathy and professionalism they showed towards all our family during such a heartbreaking time. We have trusted them with both of our parents' funeral arrangements and cannot recommend them highly enough. Molly has been amazing, caring and understanding to our needs and that of our family. She has supported us through this difficult time and has guided us in making our mum's final time as loving as possible. Henk was also so caring during one of our visits and his professionalism was evident. Thankyou again to the whole team for the amazing service you have provided for us in such a difficult time in our lives and at a time that is remembered by families forever.
Jeannine
5 months ago
We would like to thank Douglas Mercer for the personal and professional services we received. Nothing was too much trouble and even the little things we requested were carried out. We are grateful for the ease in which the process was completed and this resulted in a perfect day. Thank you again
Nicola Thorne
6 months ago
We received such a professional and personal service from start to finish. Nothing was too much trouble. The team were all so friendly, polite, supportive and respectful. The Orders of Service were so professional and a wonderful tribute. We are so thankful to all of them.
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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 01424421805We'll call you back
Douglas Mercer and Son Funeral Directors will be in touch shortly.
You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and Douglas Mercer and Son Funeral Directors 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
What to wear to a funeral in the UK: traditional expectations, modern dress codes, religious variations, what not to wear, and guidance for children.
From cremation to burial, discover what UK funerals really cost in 2026 — including a full breakdown of funeral director fees, disbursements, and regional price differences to help you plan with confidence.
The average cost of a funeral in the UK is £4,141. This guide breaks down every fee, explains regional differences, and shows you how to manage costs without compromising dignity.
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