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Attended Burial
£2,400
Attended Cremation
£1,303
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
We are a very friendly independently owned funeral directors with welcoming offices.
Our staff are highly trained and nothing is too much trouble.
We give friendly and informative advice and there is no pressure to make any final decisions on the first day we meet.
We keep you informed all the way with how arrangements are progressing. You can call us anytime to ask anything!
"They have supported my family through two funerals over the years and each time they went above and beyond to support us during a very difficult time. Thanks for looking after my relatives and giving them the send off they deserved."
— Oliver Bryant
"Hard to put into words my appreciation for the kindness, compassion and care in which Jo and the team supported us through a difficult time. From the initial phone calls to the service on the day everything was explained clearly, options discussed and requests carried out."
— Kim Broster (about Jo)
"I cannot thank Rik enough for the professional caring attitude and support following the passing of my wife. From start to finish his only concern was for me and making sure all of my late wife's wishes were met. I have instructed my family that I wish them to lay me to rest when the time comes."
— David Head (about Rik)
"Karan made a most traumatic time less stressful with her calm professional manner. The arrangements for our loved one to be brought home until the funeral was done with dignity and grace. This is a business that treats people with care and compassion and looks after them as individuals."
— Sonia Langhelt (about Karan)
"I will look back on the funeral of my Dad with such fond memories - and much of that is down to the way Family Funeral Service lead the way for us all. It meant so much that we could pop in at any time, and that Dad was being 'looked after'. They spoke to us and dealt with everything, with such kindness, showing support and understanding throughout."
— glenn barton (about Jo)
"In the darkest times, you need hope, light and professionalism and that is what the Family Funeral Service provided. Joanne at the Bearsted office was a source of strength and comfort going above and beyond merely 'do a job'. It was a huge relief to know that my beloved, dearly departed father would be in such good hands."
— Alessandra Perugini-Munir (about Joanne)
Jo
Funeral Director
"I will look back on the funeral of my Dad with such fond memories - and much of that is down to the way Family Funeral …"
Jo Amos
Funeral Director (Bearsted)
Resident Funeral Director at the Bearsted office, described as a lady of great talent, ability, and professionalism.
Jo Amos
Funeral Director
Jo is the resident Funeral Director at Bearsted, described as a lady of great talent and ability, loving, caring, and p…
Kim Barton
Business Management / Administration
Has been with the company for years and has over two decades of funeral-related experience, responsible for entire comp…
Kim Barton
Business Management / Administration
Kim has been with the company for years and is responsible for entire company administration, including invoices, payme…
Lee Hawden
Operations and Facilities Management
Lee ensures all physical needs of the company are covered, managing vehicles, equipment, and staff logistics across all…
Lee Hawden
Operations and Facilities Manager
Ensures all physical needs of the company are covered, managing staff logistics, vehicles, and equipment across all off…
Michael Lawrence
Managing Director / Funeral Director
Second generation Funeral Director with approaching 50 years of experience serving the families of Maidstone and local …
Michael Lawrence
Funeral Director / Owner
Second generation funeral director with approaching 50 years of experience serving the families of Maidstone and local …
Michael Lawrence
Funeral Director / Owner
Second generation funeral director with approaching 50 years of experience serving families in Maidstone and local vill…
Kim Broster
4 weeks ago
Family funeral service at Bearsted organised the funeral for my mum in June 2026. Hard to put into words my appreciation for the kindness, compassion and care in which Jo and the team supported us through a difficult time. From the initial phone calls to the service on the day everything was explained clearly, options discussed and requests carried out. I have no hesitation in recommending Family Funeral Service.
Family Funeral Service Bearsted
3 months ago
I wish to express my grateful thanks to the Family Funeral Service -Bearsted for the ways in which they supported me and my family during the stressful, anxious time between the death of my husband ATBC (Tim) and his cremation funeral.The members of staff, especially Sam our main contact, provided calm reassurance evinced through their professional approach, derived from expertise and experience and always delivered with compassion. Sam was always ready to answer questions, provide helpful advice and make adjustments at our request to original suggestions.Every effort was made to ensure that the cremation service reflected our wishes, which represented those expressed by my husband years before. He was very organised. That organisational skill was fully demonstrated by the way the funeral service was conducted by the celebrant Bridget Sapiano. She particularly deserves appreciation and thanks: not only for making certain that the service kept to time while incorporating all of the elements we, the family, wished to use to illustrate all aspects of Tim's long life; but also delivered a eulogy that that managed to convey so much information about of Tim's professional career, as well as "affairs of the heart" and his social side, from the copious notes I had given her. Bridget's expertise, understanding and compassion were very important. Overall the service provided comfort to the family and friends who were able to attend and so could realise that Tim's achievements, along with his love and friendship, had been recognised and his long live celebrated with respect and warmth. Posted with permission from the client.
Sue Chapman
3 months ago
The Family Funeral team in Bearsted handled the internment of my mother in law 10 years ago and my father in law yesterday 31 March 2026. On both occasions they did all they possibly could to make this very painful process as easy to negotiate as possible. From Sam in the office to Jo who directed the service yesterday, we could not have asked for a more caring and compassionate approach to this difficult occasion. I would also like to recommend Debbie Moore of Heavenscent Floral Tributes for the absolutely beautiful coffin topper she provided for us.
glenn barton
3 months ago
This was the first funeral we have gone through as a family, and Jo and the team at Family Funeral Service brought so much experience and calmness to the whole process - that it settled so many emotions on the day. The drivers were excellent - not only at manoeuvring those long vehicles, but at chatting to the whole family and putting us at ease - from the first moment they rang the doorbell, to the last where they dropped us off at the wake. Moving flowers and pictures, arranging the orders of service, and all the logistical pieces in between - they did it excellently and without a fuss. I will look back on the funeral of my Dad with such fond memories - and much of that is down to the way Family Funeral Service lead the way for us all. They spoke to us and dealt with everything, with such kindness, showing support and understanding throughout. They were so welcoming from the very first day we walked into their office. It meant so much that we could pop in at any time, and that Dad was being ‘looked after'. I can't recommend them highly enough - and my heartfelt thanks go to everyone there for all they did in the lead up, and on the day itself.
Sue Payne
3 months ago
The Family Funeral Service in Bearsted recently arranged the funeral for my late husband. Joanna Amos and her team and our appointed Celebrant Helen Waters were fantastic at every step of the way. The funeral arrangements could not have been better and the Service went exactly as we wished, thank you.
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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 01622920305We'll call you back
The Family Funeral Service will be in touch shortly.
You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and The Family Funeral Service 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 Maidstone, Kent. All members follow a strict Code of Practice, with independent complaints protection and an average rating of 5.0 out of 5.
Find trusted, NAFD-accredited funeral directors in Broadstairs, Kent. All members uphold a strict Code of Practice, giving families peace of mind during one of life's most difficult moments.
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