We'll call you back
Lesley Shand Funeral Service will be in touch shortly.
You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and Lesley Shand Funeral Service 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
Lesley Shand Funeral Service is a branch of Douch Family Funeral Directors, an independent family business that has been serving the communities of Dorset for over 110 years. Founded originally by Frederick Charles Douch in Wimborne in 1910, the group has grown to include several branches across Dorset, with Lesley Shand serving the Blandford Forum area from its premises at 28 East Street.
As part of the Douch Family, Lesley Shand Funeral Service shares the group's core values of service, trust, value, care, and understanding. The team is available day or night to help guide families through every step of the funeral arrangement process, ensuring each service is dignified, professional, and personalised to honour the individual. From floral tributes to catering, every detail is carefully considered.
The branch offers a comprehensive range of funeral services, including cremations, cemetery burials, woodland burials, non-religious funerals, and direct or unattended cremations. Pre-paid funeral plans are also available, allowing individuals to plan ahead and remove financial concerns for their loved ones. The team is committed to supporting the local community and providing compassionate bereavement guidance both before and after the funeral service.
"Thank you Kathryn, there aren't words to describe what an amazing support and friend you were through this difficult time."
— Carrie (about Kathryn)
"From the initial phone call to the completion of the funeral, total professionalism. Nothing too much trouble. In my mum's own words, so glad we chose them."
— Harvey Thorner (about Peter)
"Very sadly my step son died at the tender age of 43. Kathryn and all the staff at Lesley Shand were brilliant, professional and compassionate. It was an incredible service, managing to put all of the mourners at ease, whilst giving us thanks for the life of Anthony."
— John Slee (about Kathryn)
"I cannot thank him enough for his empathy at what was a traumatic time for myself. Peter was both compassionate and extremely professional in dealing with my late mother."
— Colin Davidson (about Peter)
"I was lost and Peter not only supported but helped from start to finish. Emma, what a lovely person you are and my family thank you."
— Darren Stopler (about Peter)
"Kathryn is an absolute dream and possibly the loveliest person I have ever met in my life. She went above and beyond any and all expectation at any time of day or night. We could not be more grateful that in such a difficult time she was such a light and offered endless support. I cannot imagine how much she pours into her work."
— Carrie (about Kathryn)
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 01258453425We'll call you back
Lesley Shand Funeral Service will be in touch shortly.
You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and Lesley Shand Funeral Service 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 serving Beaminster, Dorset. Every listed director is independently vetted, held to a strict Code of Practice, and rated 5.0/5 by local families.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors in Bournemouth, Dorset. All 10 listed members uphold a strict Code of Practice, giving your family compassionate, professional care when it matters most.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors serving Blandford Forum, Dorset. All 10 listed members are independently vetted and bound by a strict Code of Practice to protect your family.
Serving families in BLANDFORD_FORUM 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 →
