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You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and Paul Williams 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
Paul Williams Independent Funeral Directors Ltd is a fully independent, family-owned funeral directors located at 215 Bury New Road, Whitefield, Manchester — approximately halfway between Manchester city centre and Bury town centre. The business is run by Funeral Director Paul Williams alongside his sister Helen, who serves as Office Manager, and a dedicated team committed to providing professional, caring, and compassionate support to bereaved families.
The firm is privileged to serve families across all areas of Greater Manchester, throughout the United Kingdom, and across the globe. Their approach centres on guiding families through funeral arrangements with sensitivity and understanding, ensuring services are both meaningful and within the family's means. Paul Williams has even been featured on BBC Radio 4 alongside Dame Joan Bakewell, discussing Burial at Sea on the programme 'We Need To Talk About Death.'
Paul Williams Independent Funeral Directors upholds the codes of practice of three respected professional bodies: The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), and The World Organization of Funeral Operatives (FIAT-IFTA). The business offers a comprehensive range of services including traditional funerals, direct cremation, green funerals, international repatriation, burial at sea, military funerals, pre-paid funeral plans, and monumental masonry.
"Every tiny detail was carried out just as I wanted, nothing was ever too much trouble, their advice and knowledge was nothing short of amazing. They listened to my stories and are just so genuine and full of empathy."
— Babs Jacobs (about Heidi)
"Despite complex family situations and cultural sensitivities, the company stayed understanding, professional and truly compassionate. Even after some time, we can still feel the weight of their support and service."
— Erica Pham (about Heidi)
"She is an amazing woman and treated us like actual family which I fully appreciate. I think its an amazing gift how people who do this job can treat complete strangers like one of their own family. I cant thank Heidi and her team enough for everything they did for us on the day of mums funeral and the weeks leading up to it."
— Joe Joinson (about Heidi)
"They were amazing when I lost my son. Their care, compassion and professionalism was outstanding. Nothing was too much trouble for them. It was a great comfort to know that my son was in such good hands."
— Karen cox (about Heidi)
"Your guidance and attention to every detail helped ease our burden and allowed us to focus on honouring our loved one. You truly helped me and the family feel a lot better and more settled knowing he was taken care of and respected and in an amazing homely environment. I will be forever grateful for your commitment and hard work to provide the love of my life with a beautiful service."
— Jordan Knight (about Heidi)
"Heidi really did 'hold my hand' through it all, she kept me informed and advised, often calling me daily, just to check I was ok.... Their care and concern is just so genuine, I truly felt they were more like friends helping me through this unbearably awful time. Thank you again Heidi and Helen for all the sensitivity and love shown to me, I will never forget you.. My Lyn' would have loved you both."
— Babs Jacobs (about Heidi)
Heidi Ramlaul
Team Member
"Heidi really did 'hold my hand' through it all, she kept me informed and advised, often calling me daily, just to check…"
Helen Ryder
Office Manager
Helen Ryder is Paul Williams' sister and serves as the Office Manager of the firm.
Paul Williams
Funeral Director
Paul Williams is the principal Funeral Director and owner of the firm. He has been featured on BBC Radio 4 discussing B…
Thomas Kershaw
Team Member
Thomas Kershaw is a member of the Paul Williams Independent Funeral Directors team.
Yvonne Ryan
2 months ago
I have no hesitation in recommending Paul Williams Funerals to anyone. Unfortunately I’ve lost many family members so have been to too many funerals. Heidi & team are exceptional, both as funeral directors and humans. Their professionalism, compassion and helpfulness is over & above any expectations. My sister & I will always be grateful for the care they showed us and my late Mother. A heartfelt `thank you` to the whole team.
Jordan Knight
2 months ago
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the care, professionalism, and compassion everyone at Paul Williams funeral directors showed our family during such a difficult time. Heidi, absolutely amazing at what she does, I’m so thankful that we had an amazing director. Your guidance and attention to every detail helped ease our burden and allowed us to focus on honouring our loved one. From the moment we arrived, we felt supported and treated with kindness and respect. Your patience, understanding, and thoughtful service did not go unnoticed, and we are deeply thankful for the dignity with which everything was handled bust most of all the honour and respect given to my partner I will never forget. Truly an amazing lady you are Heidi . You truly helped me and the family feel a lot better and more settled knowing he was taken care of and respected and in an amazing homely environment . I will be forever greatful for your commitment and hard work it provide the love of my life with a beautiful service Thank you for the comfort you provided and for helping us create a meaningful and beautiful farewell. We will always appreciate the care you showed our family during this time. With heartfelt thanks
Karen cox
3 months ago
I cannot speak highly enough of Heidi and all the team. They were amazing when I lost my son. Their care, compassion and professionalism was outstanding. Nothing was too much trouble for them. They helped us so much at such a difficult time. It was a great comfort to know that my son was in such good hands. Thank you all.
Joe Joinson
3 months ago
Took a while to write this review as its not something you ever think you would need or have to write. But I would just like to say that from the first minute me and my sister walked through the door when my mum died, we were greeted with so much warmth and compassion from Heidi who greeted us and organised our mums funeral. She is an amazing woman and treated us like actual family which i fully appreciate. I think its an amazing gift how people who do this job can treat complete strangers like one of their own family, I cant thank Heidi and her team enough for everything they did for us on the day of mums funeral and the weeks leading up to it.Thank you again Heidi ,you truly are an amazing person.
Erica Pham
5 months ago
*A special mentioned to Heidi for an impeccable service. * We organised the funeral with Paul Williams funeral directors last year for my father and despite complex family situations and cultural sensitives, the company stayed understanding, professional and truly compassionate. Even after some time, we can still feel the weight of their support and service. I would recommend the team to anybody going through bereavement as they are there for you every step of the way, in the right way. Thank you to the team at Paul Williams.
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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 01617966018We'll call you back
Paul Williams 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 Paul Williams 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
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