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You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and W J Beswetherick and Son 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
W J Beswetherick and Son Ltd is one of Truro's longest established independent funeral directors, founded in 1959 by William John Beswetherick and now in its fourth generation of family ownership. Based at their purpose-built premises in Fairmantle Street, Truro, the firm has been supporting families across Cornwall through some of their most difficult times for nearly 75 years. Their approach is rooted in listening, understanding, and respecting the wishes of each family they serve, guiding them through the funeral process with patience, compassion, and professionalism.
The business has a rich history, beginning when founder William John Beswetherick, a former carpenter and wheelwright, established the firm in Pydar Street, Truro. His son Percy joined in 1960, followed by Percy's daughter Cindy in 1982, who became the first female funeral director in Cornwall. Today, Percy's wife Gloria and Cindy run the business as a mother and daughter team, supported by Cindy's husband Simon and the wider team.
W J Beswetherick and Son Ltd offers a comprehensive range of funeral services including traditional and direct cremations, burial options, pre-paid funeral plans through Golden Charter, and charitable donation administration. They are members of both the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and the British Institute of Funeral Directors (BIFD), reflecting their commitment to the highest professional standards.
"Above and beyond all expectation, both professional, kind and very helpful. Simon and his team dealt with all requirements of the state, which were quite complicated considering my mother died in Cornwall and I live in Scotland."
— Lynda Jones-Todd (about Simon)
"From the moment my mother met Simon and took out a pre-paid plan, it was with dignity and sensitivity. They handled all the arrangements with great sensitivity and care."
— Sonia Hamilton-Martin (about Simon)
"We did actually say afterwards that Mum would really have enjoyed the funeral if she had been there! I can wholeheartedly recommend Beswetherick - they made what could have been a really difficult process as straightforward as possible."
— Gee Dee (about Simon)
"Simon even sourced a dedicated transport service for my mother's ashes to be brought home to Scotland. A very sad and stressful time was made as easy as possible."
— Lynda Jones-Todd (about Simon)
"It certainly helped us when we were at the height of our grief. My mother's wishes were carried out with the greatest respect. Simon and his team were absolutely amazing, they cared, they took care of all the details, no matter how small."
— Sonia Hamilton-Martin (about Simon)
"They were really patient with my many calls and also reassured my sister who found loosing our mother very difficult. We took in our mother's favourite party dress, shoes, and bag so she could be buried in style. On the day Simon and his team were truly amazing, caring throughout and took the stress and strain from us so that we could grieve on the day."
— Sonia Hamilton-Martin (about Simon)
Cindy
Funeral Director/Co-owner
Third generation of the Beswetherick family to join the firm in 1982, becoming the first female funeral director in Cor…
Cindy
Co-director / Funeral Director
Cindy became the third generation to join the firm in 1982 and was the first female funeral director in Cornwall. She c…
Cindy
Co-owner / Funeral Director
Third generation of the Beswetherick family to join the firm in 1982, becoming the first female funeral director in Cor…
Eve
Team Member
Member of the Beswetherick team supporting families through the funeral process.
Gloria
Co-owner / Funeral Director
Percy's wife, Gloria, runs the business as part of a mother and daughter team alongside Cindy.
Gloria
Co-owner/Funeral Director
Percy's wife, Gloria, runs the business as part of a mother and daughter team. She has been noted by families as amazin…
Gloria Beswetherick
Co-director
Percy's wife, Gloria, co-runs the business alongside Cindy as part of the family's mother and daughter team.
Lee
Team Member
Member of the Beswetherick team supporting families through the funeral process.
Simon
Support/Team Member
"We took in our mother's favourite party dress, shoes, and bag so she could be buried in style. On the day Simon and his…"
Simon
Support / Funeral Staff
"Simon and his team were absolutely amazing, they cared, they took care of all the details, no matter how small. They we…"
Simon
Support / Team Member
"They were really patient with my many calls and also reassured my sister who found loosing our mother very difficult. W…"
Stefan
Team Member
Member of the Beswetherick team supporting families through the funeral process.
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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 01872274021We'll call you back
W J Beswetherick and Son Ltd will be in touch shortly.
You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and W J Beswetherick and Son 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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