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You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and Vartys Funeral Directors Ltd 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
Varty's Funeral Directors and Monumental Masons is a third-generation, family-run business based in Ince, Wigan, serving the local community with compassion and integrity since 1936. Operating from their purpose-built premises at Darlville, Manchester Road, Higher Ince, Varty's has built a trusted reputation over more than 80 years as one of Wigan's longest-standing independent funeral directors. Unlike many funeral homes that have been absorbed by national chains, Varty's remains proudly independent, ensuring every family receives a personal, unhurried service from a small, experienced, and genuinely local team.
Varty's offers a comprehensive range of services, including cremation and burial arrangements, liaison with churches, celebrants and venues, assistance with paperwork, coffins and urns, floral tributes, orders of service, newspaper notices, and pre-paid funeral planning through Golden Charter. A distinguishing feature of the business is their in-house monumental masonry service, crafting bespoke memorials with care and skill. Private chapels of rest provide families with peaceful spaces to say their goodbyes in their own time.
As members of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and SAIF Independent Funeral Directors, Varty's upholds the highest professional standards. Their commitment to transparent pricing and dignified, compassionate care has earned them multiple Wigan Business Awards, including Independent Business of the Year 2025 and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Bill Varty in 2024. The team is available 24 hours a day.
"They would be on top of everything and keep in constant communication. This really made the process go smooth. I couldn't recommend these enough, all the way to the drivers at the point of service."
— LunalaEU (about Diane)
"This wonderful family ran business has done the funerals for my family as far back as I can remember. You get the personal touch not like big companies, the care they showed is something I will never forget."
— linda hesketh (about Kristen, Bill, Diane)
"Cannot recommend this amazing caring team enough, making a difficult time so much easier, thoughtful touches and a service that was so personal it was and still gets told 'best funeral ever been to!'"
— Kim Bland
"From the moment we got involved with Vartys they guided us through every step of the way for 2 weeks. At no moment did any of us feel uncomfortable or lost. Always willing to help and had so much patience with us."
— LunalaEU (about Diane)
"The care they showed my mum and more recently my dad when he died I will never forget, nothing was too much trouble, my dad didn't want a conventional funeral and Varty's made it happen just the way he would of wanted."
— linda hesketh (about Kristen, Bill, Diane)
"Our family have lost both my dad and my mum within 9 months of each other. I can honestly say that the service and compassion we received from Vartys was exceptional on all levels."
— Lesley Woods (about Bill, Bernadette)
Bill Varty
Principal / Owner
Bill Varty is a senior figure at Varty's, having received the Wigan Business Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024 …
Billy
Funeral Director / Staff Member
Billy is a key member of the Varty's team, consistently praised by families for his care, professionalism and commitmen…
Diane Winstanley
Funeral Director / Staff Member
Diane was praised by families for her professionalism and guidance throughout the funeral arrangement process. She won …
Jamie
Funeral Director / Staff Member
Jamie is noted for talking families through the funeral process thoroughly, providing helpful and compassionate support.
Kristen
Funeral Director / Staff Member
Kristen is highlighted by families as one of the compassionate team members who helped ease the stress of funeral arran…
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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 01942244712We'll call you back
Vartys Funeral Directors Ltd will be in touch shortly.
You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and Vartys Funeral Directors 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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