Funeral planning guides
Practical information on what to do after a death, funeral costs, wills, probate, and planning ahead. Written in plain English.
After a death
Practical steps for the first hours, days, and weeks.
What to do when someone dies in the UK: a step-by-step guide
The practical steps from the first hours through registering the death, arranging the funeral, and dealing with the estate.
How to register a death in the UK
Who can register, where to go, what to bring, and what documents you receive.
What is probate and do I need it?
What probate means in practice, when you need it, and how to apply.
What happens to a bank account when someone dies?
How sole and joint accounts are handled, and how to notify banks.
What is an executor and what do they do?
The executor's duties, who can be appointed, what powers they hold, and when to get professional help.
How long does probate take in the UK?
Realistic probate timescales, the stages involved, what causes delays, and how to avoid them.
Grant of probate: how to apply
Who can apply, what documents you need, how to apply online or by post, and current fees.
Do you need probate if there is a will?
When probate is and is not required, how joint accounts bypass probate, and the small estate procedure.
How to notify companies when someone dies
Which organisations to notify, what documents you need, and how the Tell Us Once service works.
What to do with bank accounts after death
How sole and joint accounts are handled, small estate procedures, and when probate is needed to release funds.
How to wind up an estate: a step-by-step guide for executors
Every stage from death to final distribution, including probate, debts, Inheritance Tax, and estate accounts.
Letters of administration: what to do when someone dies without a will
Who can apply, how the application works, and what happens to the estate when there is no will.
Contested probate: what to do when a will is disputed
Grounds for challenging a will, how to enter a caveat, mediation, costs, and time limits.
Intestacy rules in England and Wales: who inherits when there is no will
The full inheritance hierarchy, the statutory legacy, cohabiting partners, and the per stirpes rule explained.
What is a grant of representation and do you need one?
The difference between a Grant of Probate and letters of administration, when you need one, and how to apply.
Lasting power of attorney vs executor: what is the difference?
When each role applies, what happens without an LPA, and how to register with the Office of the Public Guardian.
How to notify HMRC after a death: a complete guide
Tell Us Once, the final Self Assessment return, Inheritance Tax forms, deadlines, and the Direct Payment Scheme.
Arranging a funeral
Choosing a funeral director, comparing options, and what to ask.
How to choose a funeral director in Manchester
What to look for, questions to ask, and how to compare quotes across Greater Manchester.
Funeral director checklist: what to ask before you commit
A practical checklist of questions covering pricing, accreditation, service options, and pre-paid plans.
What is a direct cremation and how much does it cost?
What direct cremation involves, typical costs in 2026, what is included, and how it compares to an attended service.
Costs and finances
What to expect and where financial help is available.
Funeral costs in Manchester: 2026 breakdown
Typical funeral costs in Manchester, what affects the price, and where financial support is available.
Understanding funeral costs in the UK
What funerals cost nationally, what affects the price, and what financial support is available.
How to arrange a funeral on a budget
Practical options for keeping funeral costs down, including financial support and lower-cost alternatives.
Funeral Expenses Payment: who qualifies and how to apply
Who is eligible for a DWP Funeral Expenses Payment, what it covers, and how to apply within the 6-month deadline.
How to write a will in the UK
What a will must contain to be legally valid, what to include, and how to store it.
Inheritance tax in the UK explained
The nil-rate band, spouse exemptions, how to calculate what is owed, and when to get professional advice.
Probate solicitor fees: what to expect and how to keep costs down
How probate solicitors charge, typical fee structures, disbursements, and how to challenge an excessive bill.
Selling a house during probate: what executors need to know
Valuation for IHT, council tax, insurance, Capital Gains Tax, and the typical timeline from death to completion.
Funeral director complaints: what to do if things go wrong
Your rights under the CMA rules and Consumer Rights Act, NAFD and SAIF complaint routes, and small claims court.
Planning ahead
Recording your wishes before they are needed.
Funeral planning checklist: recording your wishes
A practical checklist covering everything worth recording about your funeral wishes.
Planning ahead: what to record and why
How writing down your wishes in advance can help the people you leave behind.
Cremation vs burial: understanding the options
Costs, practical differences, and cultural considerations for each option.
Starting the conversation about funeral planning
How to raise funeral planning with a parent or partner without it feeling intrusive.
Need someone to talk to?
Free, confidential support available at any time.