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See the full checklistLeave your number and George Simnett Family 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
George Simnett Family Funeral Directors is an independent funeral care provider serving the Derby area, with their Spondon branch located at Williams House, 77 Sitwell Street, Spondon, Derby. The company is led by Managing Director and Funeral Director George E. Simnett, and their guiding mission is to 'Honour a Lifetime' — a commitment to providing every family with the highest standard of professional, caring service and respect.
The team at George Simnett Family Funeral Directors combines traditional values and beliefs with a modern approach, ensuring they are responsive to the needs of all cultures. They support families before, during, and after the funeral, allowing those who are grieving to focus on cherished memories while every arrangement is handled with dignity and compassion.
As an independent funeral director, George Simnett Family Funeral Directors prides itself on a personal, attentive approach. Their services encompass funeral arrangements, coffin and casket selection, ashes caskets and keepsakes, jewellery and fingerprint keepsakes, floral design, and funeral plans. The Spondon branch is one of three locations operated by G. E. Simnett & Family Funeral Directors Limited, and they are members of the NAFD (National Association of Funeral Directors).
"Your professionalism, care and attention to detail made what was a difficult day so much easier."
— Tony Richardson (about Ruth)
"From the moment they collected mum from her home to the funeral, nothing was too much trouble."
— Michelle Burnett (about Ruth)
"I had a comment today that they thought Jacqui was a family friend as she captured my mother in law beautifully in the eulogy."
— Tracey Shaw (about Jacqui Alexander)
"After losing my nan, we all knew she was in such great hands after James and Clive came to collect her. They put us at ease and were very supportive. Ruth helped us massively during our grieving and made the whole funeral process very smooth. She listened to every word and importantly wasn't pushy in any way."
— Katey Truman (about Ruth)
"We were shell shocked due to sudden and tragic circumstances but Ruth guided us through all the processes, making suggestions and amendments which made the service a real celebration of her life."
— Tracey Shaw (about Ruth)
"They all wore a dash of pink for my nan and showed an enormous amount of respect to her. A lovely touch we liked was as we passed the funeral directors, Bethany stood and watched the car pass outside."
— Katey Truman (about Bethany)
Bethany Strickland
Funeral Arranger
"They all wore a dash of pink for my nan and showed an enormous amount of respect to her. A lovely touch we liked was as…"
Bethany Strickland
Funeral Arranger
"They all wore a dash of pink for my nan and showed an enormous amount of respect to her. A lovely touch we liked was as…"
Clive Hinkley
Funeral Assistant
Clive Hinkley
Funeral Assistant
Clive Hinkley serves as a Funeral Assistant at George Simnett Family Funeral Directors.
Colin Smith
Funeral Assistant
Colin Smith
Funeral Assistant
Colin Smith serves as a Funeral Assistant at George Simnett Family Funeral Directors.
Finlay Young
Funeral Arranger & Trainee Funeral Director
Finlay Young
Funeral Arranger
Finlay Young works as a Funeral Arranger at George Simnett Family Funeral Directors, helping families plan funeral serv…
George E. Simnett
Managing Director & Funeral Director
George E. Simnett is the Managing Director and Funeral Director of George Simnett Family Funeral Directors, committed t…
George E. Simnett
Managing Director & Funeral Director
James Highton
Funeral Director
James Highton
Funeral Assistant
James Highton serves as a Funeral Assistant at George Simnett Family Funeral Directors.
Jayne Stevenson
Florist
Jayne Stevenson
Florist
Jayne Stevenson works as a florist at George Simnett Family Funeral Directors, helping create floral tributes for famil…
Joanna Ballington
PA to Managing Director
Joanna Ballington
PA to Managing Director
Joanna Ballington serves as Personal Assistant to the Managing Director at George Simnett Family Funeral Directors.
Joanne Moore
Floral Design Manager
Joanne Moore
Floral Design Manager
Joanne Moore manages floral design at George Simnett Family Funeral Directors, creating beautiful tributes for services.
Paul Mansfield
In Loving Memory 19.03.1951 - 22.04.2022
Ruth Bartlett
Dip. FD Manager & Funeral Director
"We were shell shocked due to sudden and tragic circumstances but Ruth guided us through all the processes, making sugge…"
Ruth Bartlett
Manager & Funeral Director (Dip. FD)
"We were shell shocked due to sudden and tragic circumstances but Ruth guided us through all the processes, making sugge…"
Scott Harrhy
Funeral Assistant
Scott Harrhy serves as a Funeral Assistant at George Simnett Family Funeral Directors.
Scott Harrhy
Funeral Assistant
Sean Jarvis
Fleet Manager & Funeral Director's Assistant
Sean Jarvis
Fleet Manager & Funeral Director's Assistant
Sean Jarvis manages the company fleet and assists the Funeral Director at George Simnett Family Funeral Directors.
Tim Garratt
Funeral Assistant
Tim Garratt serves as a Funeral Assistant at George Simnett Family Funeral Directors.
Tim Garratt
Funeral Assistant
Wendie Simnett
Retired October 2024
Wendie Simnett
Retired October 2024
Wendie Simnett was a member of the George Simnett Family Funeral Directors team who retired in October 2024.
Tony Richardson
a year ago
To Ruth and all of the team, thankyou so much for helping us to organise what was turned out to be a lovely and fitting tribute to our beloved Dad. Your professionalism, care and attention to detail made what was a difficult day so much easier. On behalf of our family, Thankyou.
Angela Lindley
2 years ago
Many thanks to Ruth and the team at Spondon. Mums funeral and burial was on January 15th. Everything was smooth and respectful thanks to the advice and help I received over the previous weeks from Ruth.
Michelle Burnett
2 years ago
Just to say what a beautiful send off my mum had really pleased I chose these funeral directors from the moment they collected mum from her home to the funeral nothing was too much trouble would highly recommend and thankyou for everything and to Ruth. George and all the team from Michelle. X
Katey Truman
3 years ago
I want to say thank you to everyone at George Simnett. Their attention to detail was unbelievable. After loosing my nan, we all knew she was in such great hands after James and Clive came to collect her. They put us at ease and we’re very supportive. Ruth helped us massively during our grieving and made the whole funeral process very smooth. She listened to every word and importantly wasn’t pushy in anyway with anything. The visiting process is extremely peaceful and are very accommodating. The funeral itself was beautiful, they all wore a dash of pink for my nan and showed an enormous amount of respect to her. A lovely touch we liked was as we passed the funeral directors, Bethany stood and watched the car pass outside. We can’t thank you all enough for all that you did for us, hopefully we won’t have to use your service soon but Id recommend them to anyone. Thank you again to everyone at the Spondon Branch. From Katey, Ruth and Sara.
Tracey Shaw
4 years ago
I would like to thank Ruth and her colleagues at George Simnett in Spondon, Derby for their help, guidance, support and genuine concern shown to us whilst arranging my mother in laws funeral. We were shell shocked due to sudden and tragic circumstances but Ruth guided us through all the processes, making suggestions and amendments which made the service a real celebration of her life. The funeral celebrant, Jacqui Alexander, that Ruth put us in touch with was brilliant too. I had a comment today that they thought Jacqui was a family friend as she captured my mother in law beautifully in the eulogy. I hope not to need their services anytime soon but would definitely use their services again. Thank you to everyone concerned.
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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 01332661195We'll call you back
George Simnett Family 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 George Simnett Family 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 Derby, Derbyshire. Every listed director is independently vetted, follows a strict Code of Practice, and is rated highly by local families.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. All 10 listed members follow a strict Code of Practice, giving your family genuine peace of mind.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors in Alfreton, Derbyshire. All 10 listed members follow a strict Code of Practice and are independently monitored for your peace of mind.
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