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You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors Ltd 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
Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors Ltd is a truly independent, family-run funeral business located at 211 Station Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire. The Wilde family has been serving the local community since 1896, when great-grandfather Harry Wilde first established the family's connection to funeral care — making Ian Wilde a proud fourth-generation funeral director. The business was established in its current form in November 2013, when Ian and Wendy Wilde opened their purpose-built premises in the former White Bull Hotel, redeveloped to the highest standard to provide a fitting environment for families in their time of need.
Ian Wilde holds a Diploma in Funeral Directing (DipFD) and is a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors. The team operates a 24-hour, 365-days-a-year personal service, ensuring compassionate support from the very first point of contact. Services offered include personalised order of service printing, flower arrangements through local florists, music selection, catering coordination, and pre-paid funeral plans through Golden Charter.
As one of the few remaining truly independent funeral directors in the Bamber Bridge area, Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors prides itself on delivering the personal attention and high standards that families have come to associate with the Wilde family name for well over a century.
"They all made me feel so relaxed when I'd just lost my husband. Absolutely fabulous service. No need to go elsewhere as this is the family run funeral directors for you."
— Janet Dimmock (about Ian, Wendy, Lucy)
"With special thanks to David who dealt with all matters with such kindness, we had many comments on what a lovely gentleman David is. Their professionalism, empathy and support before, during and after my mother's funeral was second to none."
— Katherine Woan (about David)
"Lucy took great effort to understand exactly what we wanted and recommended the perfect celebrant for us. Her sympathetic treatment of us and her matter-of-fact attitude towards the whole situation were exactly what we needed."
— Kevin Lawson (about Lucy)
"They both listened with genuine care about our loved one showing both compassion and understanding. From the onset we felt reassured and secure in each step of the way."
— J Brown (about Ian, Wendy)
"I felt that my Dad was very safe with them, well looked after and respected and that his dignity was always kept which gave me peace of mind. The funeral itself was run by Kirsty and it was beautiful. The support she gave to the family and I was outstanding."
— Ruth Doran (about Kirsty)
"It really felt like she was going from our home to another home that really cared about her too. Organising a funeral is a mind boggling prospect but Ian and Wendy took all of this pressure off and helped us to give Nannie the send off she deserved, even under the extreme pressures at the height of lockdown."
— Joanna (about Ian, Wendy)
Alan Whittaker
Team Member
Alan Whittaker is a member of the team at Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors.
Gary
Team Member
Gary is a member of the team at Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors.
Gary
Team Member
Gary is a member of the Ian Wilde team, helping to deliver the high standards of care and professionalism the business …
Ian Wilde
Company Director
A 4th generation funeral director with a DipFD qualification, Ian has assisted thousands of families and built a reputa…
Ian Wilde
Company Director
A fourth-generation funeral director with a DipFD qualification, Ian has assisted thousands of families and built a rep…
James Hutton
Team Member
James Hutton is a member of the team at Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors.
Jo
Team Member
Jo is part of the caring team at Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors, committed to providing compassionate and prof…
Jo
Team Member
Jo is a member of the team at Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors.
John
Team Member
John is a member of the team at Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors.
Kirsty
Team Member
"I felt that my Dad was very safe with them, well looked after and respected and that his dignity was always kept which …"
Kirsty
Team Member
"The funeral itself was run by Kirsty and it was beautiful. The support she gave to the family and I was outstanding and…"
Lucy
Team Member
"Lucy took great effort to understand exactly what we wanted and recommended the perfect celebrant for us. Her sympathet…"
Lucy
Team Member
"Lucy took great effort to understand exactly what we wanted and recommended the perfect celebrant for us. Her sympathet…"
Rhyd
Team Member
Rhyd is a member of the team at Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors.
Wendy Wilde
Company Director
In 2013, Wendy and her husband Ian fulfilled a dream to establish Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors. Her career, …
Wendy Wilde
Company Director
Co-founder of Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors, Wendy has a 30-year career rooted in providing support for peopl…
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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 01772902345We'll call you back
Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors Ltd will be in touch shortly.
You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and Ian Wilde Independent Funeral Directors Ltd 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 Preston, Lancashire. All 10 listed directors meet strict professional standards, giving your family peace of mind at the most difficult of times.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors in Accrington, Lancashire. Every listed director meets strict professional standards, giving your family the care and protection it deserves.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors in Lancaster, Lancashire. All 10 listed members follow a strict Code of Practice, giving your family the care and protection it deserves.
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