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You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and W Smith & Sons 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
W. Smith & Sons is a family-owned funeral directors serving the people of Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and surrounding areas since 1892. The business was founded by Walter Smith, a wheelwright from Puriton in Somerset, who established a coach building business in Pine Road, Winton. His work occasionally involved constructing horse-drawn hearses and carriages for the funeral trade, and it was not long before Walter recognised the opportunity to provide a funeral service alongside his coach building work. By 1896, the business had grown sufficiently to move to larger premises in Wimborne Road, Winton.
Following Walter's death in 1934, his sons Leslie and Gordon chose to concentrate solely on funeral directing. The business has continued to grow through the generations, most notably under Edward Smith, Leslie's son, who served for 52 years before retiring in 1991. Today, the fourth generation of the Smith family — Trevor, Michael and Roger — continues to manage the business with the same dedication and care that has defined the company for over a century.
Now located at 117 Ensbury Park Road, Bournemouth, W. Smith & Sons prides itself on a relaxed, unpretentious approach, offering a personal and reliable service at a reasonable price. The team provides a 24-hour telephone service every day of the year, ensuring that advice and guidance is always available when needed most.
"We cannot praise the team highly enough. From start to finish they have gone above and beyond what we expected. Please accept our sincere thanks and gratitude."
— Christopher Bain
"Neil was the perfect person to guide us through. The excellent service you gave us before, during and after Mum's funeral was very professional. An exceptional company to be recommended."
— Sara Shepherd (about Neil)
"From the moment we made the first call to the very last email, everything was dealt with professionally and supportively. Could not have wished for a kinder, more understanding and gentle company. Special shout out to Neil — thank you so much."
— A Belle (about Neil)
"Neil was very warm, empathic, sympathetic and patient when assessing our wants and needs for the Service. On the day the Service went perfectly so I can only thank all involved for making it so."
— Simon Pittwood (about Neil Scott)
"Paul Wentworth oversaw my Mother's funeral — his compassion and attention to detail was flawless. The gentlemen bearers were immaculately dressed and very professional. My Mother would have been very impressed. This is the sixth time my family have engaged W Smith & Sons and we continue to recommend them without reservation."
— Todd (about Paul Wentworth)
"Roger was able to let me know the date and time for the cremation so I could be there to at least follow my mother's journey. She was still taken in a hearse and had bearers to take her in which I felt was very dignified."
— Caroline S (about Roger)
Todd
2 months ago
Paul Wentworth of W Smith & Sons oversaw my Mother's funeral earlier this week, I can't speak highly enough of his compassion and attention to detail, the funeral service was flawless: the gentlemen bearers were immaculately dressed and very professional, the Jaguar hearse was gleaming...my Mother would have been very impressed. This is the sixth time my family have engaged the services of W Smith & Sons and we continue to recommend them without reservation.
Christine
2 months ago
I cannot praise Paul and colleagues from W Smith & Co highly enough. My mum’s funeral was perfect from start to finish and it gives me great comfort to know that we gave her a good send off. Everything ran so smoothly. Thank you all.
Christopher Bain
a month ago
Posting a review on behalf of Mike and Linda for the excellent services provided for the late Wing Cmdr. KJ Dix. “We can not praise the team highly enough. From start to finish they have gone above and beyond what we expected. Please accept our sincere thanks and gratitude”.
Sara Shepherd
3 months ago
Thank you so much for all the kindness.understanding and support.The excellent service you gave us before .during and after Mums funeral was very professional. An exceptional company to be recommended. Neil was the perfect person to guide us through A huge Thank You to Neil
Simon Pittwood
3 months ago
W Smith & Sons, in tandem with George Scott Funeral Services, gave my late brother the perfect send off. Neil Scott was very warm, empathic, sympathetic and patient when assessing our wants and needs for the Service. On the day the Service went perfectly so I can only thank all involved for making it so.
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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 01202528818We'll call you back
W Smith & Sons will be in touch shortly.
You've just taken the first step — contacting a funeral director.
See the full checklistLeave your number and W Smith & Sons 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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