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You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and S Carter and Son 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
S. Carter & Son is an independent, family-owned and run funeral directors and monumental masons based in Wickford, Essex, proudly serving the immediate community and surrounding areas for over 170 years. Currently operated by the fourth and fifth generations of the Carter family, the business reflects a deep-rooted commitment to the local community and a tradition of compassionate, dignified care.
Michael Carter took over the running of the business in 1983 following the passing of his father, and remains actively involved in day-to-day operations today. His daughter Sarah joined the company in 1997, managing the office, making funeral arrangements, and personally conducting funerals. Darren, another long-standing team member, conducts funerals alongside Sarah and has strong ties to Wickford, being the grandson of the late Ernie Wood, the town's much-loved gravedigger for over 30 years.
S. Carter & Son offers a comprehensive range of funeral services, including burials, cremations, green funerals, direct cremations, and pre-paid funeral plans. With a focus on personalisation, they provide chapels of rest, bespoke order of service, funeral music and visual tributes, dove release, cremation jewellery, and funeral transport. Their phone line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring support is always on hand when it is needed most.
"They guided us through every step and made a very difficult time much easier for our family. Everything was carried out with dignity and care, and the service was exactly what we wanted."
— Joseph Gough
"S. Carter & Son could not have made my Mother's funeral anymore special or personal. Darren led on the day and made everything so incredibly smooth and respectful."
— Paul Bloomfield (about Darren)
"We dealt with Lily, who was patient and supportive throughout. Nothing was too much trouble and she dealt with all of our many queries clearly and quickly. It all helped make a very difficult process and day bearable."
— John Weymouth (about Lily)
"Liz was so thorough in finding out our history and took time to ask questions, she spoke at the service and put into words our memories of his life with us. Everything was handled so professionally with a supportive thoughtful attitude. I can't thank them enough."
— Louise Ward (about Liz)
"During an immensely sad time, S Carter & Son took the stress away from us of arranging 2 funerals. Incredibly professional with a personal touch that allowed us to grieve without worrying about the arrangements. A particular mention for Lily, for whom nothing was too much trouble."
— Paul Squires (about Lily)
"Lily conducted the initial meeting and achieved a perfect balance of empathy and professionalism. Any query we had was swiftly actioned and explained very well. Nobody wants to have to arrange a funeral but for the sad times it happens, S. Carter & Son are without doubt the best choice in my and my family's opinion."
— Paul Bloomfield (about Lily)
Darren
Funeral Director
Darren has been with the company for many years and conducts funerals alongside Sarah; he is the grandson of the late E…
Michael Carter
Funeral Director / Owner
Michael Carter took over the running of the business in 1983 after his father passed away and remains very much involve…
Sarah Carter
Funeral Director / Office Manager
Sarah joined the company in 1997 and manages the office, makes funeral arrangements, and personally conducts funerals a…
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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 01268733108We'll call you back
S Carter and Son will be in touch shortly.
You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and S Carter and Son 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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