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You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and Howards Funeral Directors 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
Howards Funeral Directors was founded in 1988.
Our dedicated teams at our Ainsdale and Southport funeral homes are committed to creating tailored funerals that reflect the unique life of your loved one.
We can be contacted 24 hours a day, by telephone, and are here to discuss your needs. Or if you prefer, we can visit your home to discuss funeral arrangements.
"The team were very helpful, from the start when I needed help to know what was available, to the end, and the service was conducted according to my wishes."
— P D
"We were struggling with tight deadlines due to Easter, but they were able to make it work and provide a funeral of the highest quality."
— Andrew McQueen (about Lyndsay)
"Every aspect was dealt with sensitively and efficiently, with great attention to detail. This is exactly the sort of service that is needed at such a difficult time."
— Michael Hurley
"They coped with some last minute changes and traffic delays on the day to get us there on time. It was commented on by everyone present that it was a lovely service. It could not have gone better — nothing was too much trouble."
— Andrew McQueen (about Lyndsay)
"Lyndsey was exceptional in every way! My beloved Aunt's funeral was faultless due to top class service from Howards. This at a time when support was really appreciated."
— Stephen Tolley (about Lyndsey)
"They pay particular attention to details and act with the utmost compassion and respect for yourselves and your loved one. In the last 3 months I have used Howards services for both my parents — the service has been excellent from start to finish."
— Gill Beecham (about Lindsay & Paul)
P D
7 months ago
The team were very helpful, from the start when I needed help to know what was available, to the end, and the service was conducted according to my wishes.
Gill beecham
a year ago
In the last 3 months I have used Howards services for both my parents. The service has been excellent from start to finish - with initial plans and suggestions, following up on arrangements, organising services etc to seamless events on the day. They pay particular attention to details and act with the utmost compassion and respect for yourselves and your loved one. I can recommend their services as 5 star and in particular thanks to Lindsay and Paul - but also the other more hidden members of this excellent team.
Stephen Tolley (Tolleyboypoet)
a year ago
My beloved Aunts funeral was faultless due to top class service from Howards. This at a time when support was really appreciated.. A hugely professional team indeed. Lyndsey was exceptional in every way! Thank you.
Andrew McQueen
3 years ago
Howards Funeral Directors were excellent in every way, from planning the funeral to delivering it. We were struggling with tight deadlines due to Easter, but they were able to make it work and provide a funeral of the highest quality. They coped with some last minute changes and traffic delays on the day to get us there on time. It was commented on by everyone present that it was a lovely service. It could not have gone better nothing was too much trouble. Thanks to Lyndsay, Derek, Carl and all the staff involved
Michael hurley
6 years ago
Every aspect was dealt with sensitively and efficiently, with great attention to detail. This is exactly the sort of service that is needed at such a difficult time.
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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 01704577786We'll call you back
Howards 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 Howards 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 Southport, Merseyside. Every listed director upholds a strict Code of Practice, giving your family the care and protection it deserves.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors across Liverpool and Merseyside. Every listed director is independently vetted, follows a strict Code of Practice, and is rated by the families they serve.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors in Bebington, Merseyside. All members follow a strict Code of Practice, giving your family the care and protection you deserve.
Serving families in SOUTHPORT and the surrounding area
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