Probate

Helping you with probate

Joseph O'Connell Funeral Service is working with the National Bereavement Service (NBS), a not-for-profit organisation, to assist and support customers and their families. NBS provides practical advice post funeral to help when dealing with legal issues, many of which may be unfamiliar.

Probate is a legal term which means the official proving of a will. You ‘apply for probate’ to have the legal right to deal with someone’s land, property, money and possessions, in other words their ‘estate’.

If the person that has passed away has made a will, they will have appointed an Executor, and may have even identified a legal firm to deal with the probate. Fortunately in most cases the process is simple and straightforward. We can help if you need guidance on DIY probate. If there is no will it can be a little more complicated and the will is resolved according to the Rules of Intestacy.

How to apply

To apply for probate you make the application to the Probate Registry and this gives the Executors named in the application the authority to act in the administration of the estate of the deceased. There are a number of stages to go through when dealing with the administration process and it can vary depending on where you are in the UK.

NBS can help guide you through all of this, call them free on 0800 0246 121 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm or visit them at www.theNBS.org where you’ll find more useful information.

Useful links:

Applying for probate

Intestacy – Who inherits when there is no will?

Dealing the estate of someone who has died

Valuing the estate of someone who has died

Stopping a probate application

Cremations

We can assist you in every step of the funeral and cremation arrangements so please ask us about any queries you may have.

Cremations

Our pricing

Funeral prices vary depending on the type of ceremony you would like for your loved one. There are many options to choose from to make it unique and special.

View pricing

Planning ahead?

It is now really easy to plan ahead, making a huge difference by easing the burden on your family when the time comes, so they can focus on the arrangements.

Prepaid plans

Need advice?

Joseph O'Connell Funeral Service can assist you in every step of the funeral so please don’t hesitate to ask us about any aspects or queries you may have.

Excellent service at Joseph oconnel funeral services..couldn't have asked for any more support and help they provided...thank you so much Excellent service from Mrs Clarke…

Linda Clarke

We chose Joseph O’Connell’s funeral service for our lovely daughter who died suddenly in tragic circumstances. Even though Joe has semi retired he arranged to see us and also spoke with me at length and gave advice and reassurance over some distressing news. The lovely…

Lesley Beecroft

My father sadly passed away on New Year’s Eve 2024. Unsure of which funeral service to trust with making the all important arrangements, I started researching online reviews. The numerous 5 star reviews duly led me to Joseph O’Connell Funeral Services. After my dealings with…

Mark Adams

It is never easy burying a loved one, so finding the right funeral director is extremely important. We lost our grandmother in January and we were recommended Joseph O'Connell Funeral Services by a family friend. The staff at Joseph O'Connell were very professional from start…

Matt K

The Team at Joesph O'Connell's could not have been more helpful and understanding at the most difficult of times, thank you all for everything.

William Rathbone

I’ve recently lost my mum and Joe and his team have been incredible. I could not have done everything without them. They made a hard day, a beautiful one. It was everything my mum asked for and more. There service is impeccable and it makes…

Leah Mountford