What To Do With a Will When Someone Dies

When someone passes away, you will want to consider whether they have a written will outlining their wishes after passing.

What is a will?

A will (also known as a testament), is a legal document which outlines a person’s wishes after they die. This mainly relates to their estate, property and finances, but can also outline details of what they would like to happen to their body after passing, including what kind of funeral the wish to have.

Who manages the expectations outlined in a will?

There will be an executor named in the will which appoints this person to be in charge of the division of the estate and finances when the person has passed. The executor will need to apply for a grant of probate.

What is probate?

A grant of probate confirms that this is the person who has the authority to manage the estate. It is a legal document which ensures that the correct individual is making the decisions for the deceased regarding their property and financial assets.

There are some instances where the executor does not need to apply for probate. For example, when the deceased has only cash and personal possessions that require organising.

Inheritance tax

Inheritance tax is something you will need to consider if there is an estate left in the will. Any outstanding tax will need to be paid within 6 months of the passing. Therefore, this is something to consider initially as some of the deceased’s assets may be needed to cover the outstanding tax.

Fulfilling their wishes

When all the taxes have been paid, it is the responsibility of the executor to distribute the remaining estate to the beneficiaries involved. If there are any wishes relating to the funeral such as what type of service the deceased would like to have, or what to do with the body or ashes after the funeral, we can help with this. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your options and the different services that we offer. Whatever your requirements are, we can help and arrange it for you.

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What to Do with a Will When Someone Dies

Has Someone Passed Away?

We understand at this difficult time you need someone to guide you through it all. We’re on hand to help after someone you love dies.

What To Do Next

Arranging a Funeral

We’ll talk you through the process and what’s involved, so that you can make the right decision both for you and your loved ones.

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We’re here to help if you want to make sure your funeral is both planned and paid for in advance.

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A Few Kind Words...

“Dear Beth,
Just a short note from all of us to say “Thank You” for all the effort that you applied to ensure that Sarah’s funeral passed so seamlessly.
If it can be described as a “Great Day” (which I know will sound odd) I mean it purely in terms of the balance between sadness and celebration was met – that also the weather was perfect, the co-ordination between service and committal was excellent, the flowers so beautiful and everyone played their part so well. It was largely down to you that it did work so well.
So a “Big Thank You”

Barry, Jemma, Matthew, Josie and William

“Just a note to say a huge thank you to yourself and the wonderful team at Send Greenwoods, they took care of us all yesterday at Les Ingram’s funeral. I’ve really valued your help and support over the last few weeks and the wonderful men yesterday went beyond their ‘call of duty’. They were certainly there at our great time of need. Please pass on my thanks to everyone. I also enclose four more donations. Many thanks again.”

Judith Hookins

“Thank you so much for the care, support, compassion and understanding you showed with helping Chris and us to plan his funeral. You made a very difficult time for us more bearable for which we are very grateful. Thank you also for enabling all Chris’s plans to come to fruition. His ‘send-off’ was exactly what he wanted. Malcolm did a brilliant job too. Thank you, Jane, With love and sincere, thank you.”

Kathy, Samantha, Rosie and all the Sayer Family

“Dear John,
Thank you for the wonderful service, support and help you offered me and the way you looked after my partner Bob, after he passed away.
From the professionalism and courtesy your team showed on that most traumatic moment – taking Bob from our house – to your kindness, and surefooted advice, the recommendation of the Celebrant, and then your kindness in coming to the cremation as well.
It’s been the hardest month or so of my life and yet I was so pleased with how the service went, the wonderful order of service you arranged and helped me with and of course the music as well. Throughout it all you treated me with respect, dignity and gave me such helpful advice. I’m not sure I would have managed well without that. Even more, I can now look back and reflect that the day went well and represented my partner and our love so well.
I think it’s important to thank people when they have done such a great job.”

Douglas

“Thank you very much indeed for all your professionalism, support and guidance throughout the whole process involved in caring for my mother.
From the moment we met the staff at Holmwood Nursing Home until my collection of thank you notelets for my father to use I felt that everything was conducted in a most efficient and sensitive manner. I know that Clive spent a good deal of time with you and I was so pleased that we were able to have such a beautiful service very soon after the passing of our dear mother and wife. With thanks once again”

Jane Reg & Clive

Dear Cindy,
I just wanted to say thank you for yesterday and please thank all the gentlemen who helped us. Everything ran very smoothly and they were excellent.
I was also very happy with the service booklet and photographs.

Lyla

“Dear Jo,
Thanks so much for all you did leading up to the funeral. None of us could have got through it without your support.
Many thanks for everything you did for us, for all your help and for making a very sad day so easy. Your support has been amazing.
A huge thank you. Your dedication made saying farewell to Mum all the more bearable.”

Sue, Vicki, Clare & Richard

“I cannot believe that a month has passed since we first met, the day after Brian died. Within a short time of our encounter, I know that an occasion I had always dreaded would be transformed into a positive, memorable occasion – and so it was!
Your warm and practical attitude, as well as highly professional advice, immediately instils confidence. Every detail of the proceedings is meticulously explained and I felt completely relaxed. Thank you Jess for making everything work so well. You are a remarkable lady with a definite vocation and I wish you all the very best for the future. I felt I found a real, new friend, just when I needed it most.”

Irene

“Thank you so much for the care you took of mum and help and kindness you showed us making a very sad time so much easier to bear. With very best wishes and a very big thank you.”

Claire, David & Pia Stevens

“I just wanted to drop you a line to say a massive thank you for everything you have done over the last two weeks. When I walked into Alan Greenwood’s on the 5th November I didn’t know where or how I was going to organise my lovely Mum’s funeral and the thought of it horrified me, you made a daunting job so much easier and were there to guide me all the way until the day of the funeral.”
I can’t thank you enough for your kind words, thoughts and help during this very difficult time. Losing someone as precious as mum is very hard but you helped so much. Thank you for everything you have done for mum, myself and my family.”

What to Do with a Will When Someone Dies