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See the full checklistLeave your number and R S Johnson and Sons 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
R S Johnson and Sons Funeral Directors, located at Crossgate House, Western Approach, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, is part of the Dignity network — one of the UK's most trusted providers of funeral services and prepaid funeral plans. The branch is dedicated to serving the local South Shields community with compassion, respect, and the highest standards of professional care.
As part of the Dignity family, R S Johnson and Sons offers a comprehensive range of funeral services, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Families can expect attentive, personalised support from experienced staff who are committed to honouring every detail of a loved one's final farewell. From arranging transport and selecting coffins to planning the order of service and choosing music, the team is on hand to guide families through each step of the process.
Dignity continually invests in its staff, premises, and vehicles to ensure the highest standards are maintained. Client surveys consistently reflect this commitment, with nearly all families reporting that staff were respectful, premises were clean and tidy, and that their needs and wishes were carefully listened to. R S Johnson and Sons is proud to serve the South Shields area with the warmth and professionalism that families deserve during life's most difficult moments.
"From our initial meeting our contact John helped and advised us through the whole process... On the day of the funeral everything went smoothly and John and Graeme were very attentive, we cannot thank them enough."
— Aaron Pierce (about John)
"Jamie was exceptional, checking we were ok and keeping us up to date with arrangements. On the day he was so supportive, can't thank him enough."
— Jennifer Hudson (about Jamie)
"Richy put us all at ease and made the difficult task of quite a big family coming together to make these decisions, effortless. Its of great relief to know my Grandfather was cared for and respected throughout and that he got the send-off he so deserved."
— Nikki Gallagher (about Richard Scott)
"He called everyday to keep us informed of what was happening. He always called when he said he would and never failed to return a phone call. He really went the extra mile, making sure that whenever we visited that the ramp was outside for my dad, who uses a wheelchair. He also took the time to find the phone number of a bereavement councillor for us."
— Joedi (about John)
"I cannot express how grateful we were for the prompt arrival of the out of hours team who came in the early hours of a Sunday morning after our mom passed away at home. They were smartly dressed and very professional but caring towards us and our mom on the start of her final journey. There were several follow up calls to simply ask how we were coping and if they could help in any way even after they advised us our mom's ashes were ready for pick up."
— Merle Mellors
"I lost my Mum in September last year and John helped me with the whole funeral arrangements... Unfortunately my Dad passed away on the 24th of April and found myself dealing with another heart break. John stepped above and beyond what was needed making the whole funeral every bit as comforting, I will be eternally grateful to them all as without their care and attention to detail I would have surely been lost."
— Ruby Adey (about John)
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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 01914560054We'll call you back
R S Johnson and Sons 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 R S Johnson and Sons 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
What to wear to a funeral in the UK: traditional expectations, modern dress codes, religious variations, what not to wear, and guidance for children.
The average cost of a funeral in the UK is £4,141. This guide breaks down every fee, explains regional differences, and shows you how to manage costs without compromising dignity.
From cremation to burial, discover what UK funerals really cost in 2026 — including a full breakdown of funeral director fees, disbursements, and regional price differences to help you plan with confidence.
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