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See the full checklistLeave your number and James Brown and Sons 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
James Brown & Sons Funeral Directors in Belfast is situated on Newtownards Road.
We can help to plan religious and non-religious funeral services and serve many different faiths. We have our own service venue on-site.
Our experienced and caring team will advise and support you at every stage of the funeral planning process, with a wide range of options and transparent pricing.
"They treated us sympathetically - yet in a friendly and relaxed way and organised a beautiful, dignified service and burial. We were guided along the way and kept informed of the developments throughout."
— Janet Milligan
"The staff go that extra mile to make sure everything is as uncomplicated as possible. My particular thanks to Ruth, Chloe and Andrew and to our Celebrant Mark who listened carefully to our wishes and concerns and pitched the service perfectly."
— karen porter (about Ruth)
"They provided a baby seat for my little grandson, placed the funeral car at our disposal for the whole day and gently guided us through the various expected processes and procedures. I cannot think of any way in which they could have improved their service."
— Ellen
"Joan gently but deftly guided us through each decision to be made, allowing her sense of humour to be shared once we started that ball rolling. Always with respect for Mum and for us. We didn't know what we needed, but the team at Browns did."
— Alex Goss (about Joan)
"Rebecca went above and beyond to surprise the family with special touches that brought a smile when we thought there would be none. Andrew also brought peace to the family and took time out of his own day to help. I will now be going back to arrange my own funeral with them as I know with them I'll be in good hands."
— Charlene (about Rebecca)
"As a young widow and my husband, Basil, passing very suddenly, a funeral was not something we had ever discussed or planned for. Alison was absolutely amazing and lovingly talked us through every step and gave us all the time we needed to make decisions. Basil was cared for with the utmost dignity and respect and he looked so peaceful. The entire team made the worst moment of our lives that little bit easier, and there are no words to say how grateful we are as a family."
— Charlene Barnes (about Alison)
Charlene Barnes
a month ago
As a young widow and my husband, Basil, passing very suddenly, a funeral was not something we had ever discussed or planned for. Alison was absolutely amazing and lovingly talked us through every step and gave us all the time we needed to make decisions. Basil was cared for with the utmost dignity and respect and he looked so peaceful. On the day of the funeral, Steven and Tom were wonderful, making sure everything ran smoothly. The entire team, made the worst moment of our lives that little bit easier, and there are no words to say how grateful we are as a family. Thank you. Charlene Barnes and family.
karen porter
2 months ago
Our family has organised several funerals with James Brown and they have always been sensitive and professional, the staff go that extra mile to make sure everything is as uncomplicated as possible.. My particular thanks to Ruth, Chloe and Andrew and to our Celebrant Mark who listened carefully to our wishes and concerns and pitched the service perfectly.
Nikki Hitching
2 months ago
Rebecca who went through the whole procedure with us was excellent and very professional. The man i can’t remember name who visited house before mum arrived home was respectful and professional. Andrew was very professional and helpful before and during the funeral. I had a very positive experience with all staff I came across.
Charlene
6 months ago
Recently I buried my father in law and Rebecca made it very easy, she went above and beyond to surprise the family with special touches that brought a smile when we thought there would be none. Andrew also brought peace to the family and took time out of his own day to help. I will now be going back to arrange my own funeral with them as I know with them I'll be in good hands. Thanks to James Brown and Sons for everything
Alex Goss
8 months ago
I was touched by and so grateful for the personal and professional service we had from Brown's in the conduct of our mother's funeral. From the on call team to the attendance at the thanksgiving service, we didn't know what we needed, but the team at Browns did. Joan gently but deftly guided us through each decision to be made, allowing her sense of humour to be shared once we started that ball rolling. Always with respect for Mum and for us. With a phone query, I spoke to the lovely reassuring Rebecca. Andrew and team were there on the day. What a helpful gentleman. Unobtrusively, again, that sure touch led us through the stages of the ceremonies, with attention to every detail, some ordinary, some quirky. Sincere thanks to all the team, from the McKeown family. I'm sure others will be adding their thanks to that expressed so far.
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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 02890451021We'll call you back
James Brown and Sons 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 James Brown and Sons 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 Belfast, County Antrim. All 10 listed members follow a strict Code of Practice, giving your family peace of mind when it matters most.
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