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See the full checklistLeave your number and Hergest and Cavell Funeral Directors will call you back.
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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
Hergest & Cavell Funeral Directors is a family owned and run independent funeral business serving the local communities in and around Gravesend and Dartford. Based at 128B Milton Road, Gravesend, the business is operated by Paula and Peter Hergest and their family team, who bring over 25 years of combined experience in the funeral profession. Paula began her career in funerals in 1995, while Peter has been a Funeral Director for over 20 years, both of them dedicated to providing a bespoke and personal service to every family they serve.
The team at Hergest & Cavell pride themselves on offering quality funerals at affordable prices without restricting the choices families need to make at a difficult time. Their ethos, 'Quality without Compromise', underpins everything they do. They are fully inspected members of the National Association of Funeral Directors and adhere to a strict code of conduct ensuring the highest standards of care.
Available 24 hours a day, every day, the team ensures that an experienced member of staff is always accessible, regardless of day or time. Whether families need guidance on funeral arrangements, pre-paid funeral plans, or memorial masonry, Hergest & Cavell are committed to helping families make informed choices every step of the way, with honesty, sensitivity, and genuine compassion.
"As soon as I telephoned Sharon at Hergest and Cavell I knew I had made the right choice when she seemed as keen as we were to ensure the families wishes were upheld. From that phone call to after the funeral the care and compassion given to my family was amazing."
— June Backhouse (about Sharon)
"We met him on the day of the funeral and honestly within minutes the whole family just felt safe. There's no other word for it. He was quietly professional, completely dignified, and as we followed the hearse I looked at him and just knew. I knew my brother had been looked after properly."
— Simon Duong (about Peter)
"It never felt like a job to them; they treated us like family, offering warmth, patience, and empathy during such a difficult time. We will always be thankful for the dignity, respect, and love they showed our family."
— Raj
"We asked to place a packet of tissues with my grandad — he loved his tissues — and we were given a promise that when they get back, they will place the tissues inside of the coffin right with my grandad."
— Louise French
"We felt as if we were their only client and the level of respect and dignity they gave us as a family is remarkable. The ritual bath was given with so much respect with Peter showing us what needs to be done and being present to support us through this."
— Serena Shergill (about Peter)
"When she spoke about looking after my brother, I mean really spoke about it, you could hear how much she cared. She wasn't giving us the standard spiel. She was passionate, she was sympathetic, and she explained everything so clearly that for the first time since we lost him I actually felt like we knew what we were doing. I got off that call feeling a sense of calm I hadn't felt since my brother passed. That's rare. That's not something you forget."
— Simon Duong (about Joanne)
Joanne Hergest
Funeral Arranger
Joanne is the eldest daughter of Peter and Paula Hergest, who at the age of 30 changed her career in special care denti…
Joanne Hergest
Funeral Arranger
Eldest daughter of Peter and Paula Hergest, who changed her career in special care dentistry to join the family busines…
Joanne Hergest
Funeral Arranger & Operations Manager
Joanne is the eldest daughter of Peter & Paula, who at the age of 30 changed her career in special care dentistry to jo…
Joanne Hergest
Funeral Arranger & Operations Manager
Joanne is the eldest daughter of Peter & Paula and changed her career in special care dentistry at age 30 to join the f…
Paula Hergest
Managing Director
Paula joined the Co-op as a funeral arranger in 1995 and spent over 15 years managing large regions for several funeral…
Paula Hergest
Owner & Managing Director
Paula started as a funeral arranger in 1995 and has a career spanning 35 plus years managing large regions for several …
Paula Hergest
Owner & Managing Director
In 1995 Paula started as a funeral arranger instantly falling in love with the profession. Her career spanning 35 plus …
Paula Hergest
Managing Director
Joined the funeral profession in 1995 and managed large regions for several funeral businesses in the corporate sector …
Paula Hergest
Funeral Director / Owner
Paula Hergest and their family team are caring funeral professionals who will give you their personal attention at all …
Peter Hergest
Funeral Director / Owner
"We felt as if we were their only client and the level of respect and dignity they gave us as a family is remarkable. Th…"
Peter Hergest
Funeral Director
"The ritual bath was given with so much respect with Peter showing us what needs to be done and being present to support…"
Peter Hergest
Funeral Director
"We felt as if we were their only client and the level of respect and dignity they gave us as a family is remarkable. Th…"
Peter Hergest
Owner & Funeral Director
"The ritual bath was given with so much respect with Peter showing us what needs to be done and being present to support…"
Peter Hergest
Owner & Funeral Director
Peter has been a Funeral Director for over 25 years serving the communities of Dartford & Gravesend. Opening his own fu…
Rachel O'Donoghue
Funeral Arranger
Having worked in funerals with her aunt Paula in a corporate environment, Rachel joined the family business in 2022 tak…
Rachel O'Donoghue
Funeral Arranger
Rachel previously worked in funerals with her aunt Paula in a corporate environment before joining the family business …
Simon Jones
Funeral Director
Simon joined the Team in 2026 to help deliver a quality service on the day of the funeral, bringing a wealth of knowled…
Simon Jones
Funeral Director
Simon joined the team in 2026 to help deliver a quality service on the day of the funeral, bringing a wealth of knowled…
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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 01474326400We'll call you back
Hergest and Cavell 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 Hergest and Cavell 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 Gravesend, Kent. All members follow a strict Code of Practice, giving your family compassionate, professional care when it matters most.
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