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You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and Howarth Funerals 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
Howarth Funerals Ltd, trading as Howarth Funeral Service, is a fourth-generation, family-owned and run funeral directors based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The business has a rich history dating back to 1940 when Raymond Howarth became a funeral director in Wakefield, and was originally known as C & R Howarth Joiners and Undertakers. Ian Howarth formally established Howarth Funeral Service in 1989 and continues to serve the community today alongside his son Neil and other dedicated staff members. With Chapels of Rest in Wakefield, Thornes, and Crigglestone, the company serves families across a wide area including Horbury, Ossett, Sandal, Woolley, Bretton, Outwood, Stanley, and beyond, covering areas between Barnsley and Huddersfield.
Howarth Funeral Service offers a comprehensive range of funeral services, including traditional funeral arrangements, a Direct Cremation service for those with limited funds or who prefer a simpler option, and a reduced-cost Basic Simple funeral. They also offer pre-paid funeral plans in partnership with Golden Charter. The team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and payment can be made by BACS, cheque, cash, or debit and credit card.
As members of the National Association of Funeral Directors, the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors, the British Institute of Funeral Directors, and the British Institute of Embalmers, Howarth Funeral Service strictly adheres to the highest professional standards. Their growing client base is largely driven by personal recommendations, a true testament to the care and dedication they provide to every family they serve.
"Nothing was too much nor too hard to solve. The funeral and way we were treated was perfect for us to remember our loved one."
— Picko270
"Their thoughtful approach and attention to detail gave us reassurance and comfort when it was most needed. Howarth Funeral Service conducted everything with the utmost respect and sensitivity."
— Vicki Endersby
"Special thank you to Gareth for taking care of our loved one from the very start to the actual day of the funeral, and to Paul for being very patient, helpful and empathetic in navigating the process, making decisions as well as honouring requests."
— Helen Hogg (about Paul, Gareth)
"Neil and the team were very professional but so friendly and compassionate, nothing was too much trouble. A very difficult time was made easier through their kindness."
— Helen Judge (about Neil)
"What truly stood out was their genuine empathy. They were not just fulfilling a service; they were truly invested in helping us navigate our loss. The atmosphere they created was warm and respectful, allowing us to celebrate my mother's life in a way that felt personal and meaningful."
— Dave Firework
"We were clueless because dad had dealt with anything like this before and at a time that my family and I were lost and floored, Neil guided us with great care and empathy every step of the way. They even let us use their premises for a non religious ceremony as my father would have wanted. The Howarth team were warm and kind and took care of proceedings with the honour that my father deserved so that we could just focus on our goodbyes."
— Trusted Truth (about Neil)
Ian Howarth
Managing Director
Ian Howarth Dip. FD M.B.I.E. is the Managing Director of Howarth Funerals Limited. He gained his Diploma in funeral dir…
Ian Howarth
Managing Director
Ian Howarth Dip. FD M.B.I.E. is the Managing Director of Howarth Funerals Limited. Ian formed Howarth Funeral Service i…
Lynne Howarth
Funeral Director
Lynne Howarth Dip. FD is a fully qualified funeral director working at Howarth Funeral Service.
Lynne Howarth
Funeral Director
Lynne Howarth Dip.FD is a fully qualified funeral director and works from the Thornes chapel.
Maria Jeffries
Qualified Embalmer / Office Administrator
Maria Jeffries M.B.I.E. has worked for Howarth's since leaving school, is a qualified embalmer, and plays a key role in…
Maria Jeffries
Qualified Embalmer / Office Administrator
Maria Jeffries M.B.I.E. (formerly Maria Bettison) has worked for Howarth's since leaving school. She is a qualified emb…
Neil Howarth
Funeral Director
"We were clueless because dad had dealt with anything like this before and at a time that my family and I were lost and …"
Neil Howarth
Funeral Director
"We were clueless because dad had dealt with anything like this before and at a time that my family and I were lost and …"
Paul Midgley
Funeral Director
Paul Midgley Dip.FAA lives near the Chapel of Rest at Crigglestone and is one of the funeral Directors working at Howar…
Paul Midgley
Funeral Director
Paul Midgley Dip. FAA lives near the Chapel of Rest at Crigglestone and is one of the funeral directors working at Howa…
Sophie Midgley
Office Administrator / Funeral Arrangements
Sophie Midgley helps with the running of the office at Thornes, assists with funeral arrangements, and arranges funeral…
Sophie Midgley
Office Administrator / Funeral Arrangements
Sophie Midgley helps with the running of the Office at Thornes, assists with funeral arrangements, and also arranges fu…
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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 01924376590We'll call you back
Howarth Funerals Ltd will be in touch shortly.
You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and Howarth Funerals 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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