We'll call you back
Doves 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 Doves Funeral Directors 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
Doves Funeral Directors was founded by second-generation Funeral Director Sean Costello in the 1980’s, with the first premises in Bromley.
Doves Funeral Directors quickly established a local reputation for empathy and experience in supporting the community in planning funerals for loved ones and soon expanded the business across Kent.
Mike Mein
2 months ago
I would like to sincerely thank Ashdown Undertakers located in Blackfen, Sidcup, Kent, for making the funeral arrangements of my late wife Monica. Special thanks to Clair and Kelly for all their help and assistance during this very devasting and difficult period for me, without which I don't know how I would have survived this personal ordeal! Their kind attention and personal touches to all the details and making sure the funeral service went ahead as planned, despite some outside issues was a grateful relief to me and my family.All the above helped to make this a very special day to remember my late wife Monica.I would not have any hesitation in recommending Ashdown's toany family who need's the extra personal care and attention at a very difficult and sad time in their lives.A very gratefulMike Mein
Sonia Clapperton
3 months ago
The team at Doves were so supportive and made us feel like nothing was too much trouble, we were so well looked after by Karen who helped us to plan my dads funeral. She was so attentive and helpful and nothing seemed too much trouble i was even given a personal number to call if i needed her . Doves have right From our innitial meeting in our house when you picked up my dad Colin and the gentleman who came were so lovely and so respectful at obviously such a sad time for us, then right to the funeral itself we didn’t have to worry at all about anything as we were confident that they had everything prepared and they did. Even the special touches like a cutting from my dad's wreath which was so thoughtful and I was touched when we was presented with it .Watching kelly walk in front of my dads car from our house and the actual funeral itself looking so lovely so respectful honestly the whole of your staff couldnt have done any more for us Thank you Doves we couldn’t have been more happier with my Dads send of I really felt like we did him proud on the day and you helped us do that and for that my family and myself are very grateful.
Wendy Brown
4 months ago
DOVES CARLTON PARADE ORPINGTONA big thank you to Karen who advised and guided us through the arranging of our mums funeral on 5/7/23. Karen made us feel very relaxed and nothing was too much trouble for her.Donna our funeral director again can’t thank you enough for your kindness and the way you went above and beyond.Sacha our celebrant again thank you. You made us all feel relaxed on a sad and stressful dayAll very professional in what you do.Should I need your assistance again I wouldn’t hesitate in asking for all three of youThank you all againWendy Barry & Julie x
Martin Long
4 months ago
When my father died some 23 years ago we used Doves services, so it wasn’t a difficult choice to make when our mother recently died. The service Karen and her team gave was perfect, keeping us informed throughout, offering her best attention at all times and even after the service. Attention to detail was very apparent , even to the point that the funeral cars passed where my father was at rest, a great idea Karen. Many thanks for all you did on the day.
Karen Adamson
5 months ago
Dearest Karen and Team ...Myself and Matt would like to share our thanks to you, Sacha and Donna for all the help and support you gave us during a very difficult time . Your professionalism and understanding is outstanding and we couldn't have done it without your guidance . You are all the most caring and respectful people ever and Matt and I can't thank you enough.Jason would have been proud and happy with the farewell he was given ... plus the bonus win for West HamThank you all , you are all fantasticKaren (Adamson) & Matt xx
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 01689870030We'll call you back
Doves 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 Doves 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
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors in Broadstairs, Kent. All members uphold a strict Code of Practice, giving families peace of mind during one of life's most difficult moments.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors in Chatham, Kent. All members follow a strict Code of Practice, giving your family professional, compassionate care when it matters most.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors in Canterbury, Kent. All members follow a strict Code of Practice, giving your family genuine peace of mind at the hardest of times.
Serving families in ORPINGTON and the surrounding area
So we can help families like yours better.
Your answers help us support families going through this.
You might find our step-by-step guide helpful →