Probate

Helping you with probate

Douglas Mercer & Son Funeral Directors 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.

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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?

Douglas Mercer & Son Funeral Directors 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.

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Latest Reviews

Google

We received such a professional and personal service from start to finish. Nothing was too much trouble. The team were all so friendly, polite, supportive and respectful. The Orders of Service were so professional and a wonderful tribute. We are so thankful to all of…

Nicola Thorne

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We cannot thank Mercer’s Funeral Directors enough for their compassion and professionalism during such a difficult time. From the very beginning, we felt completely supported and cared for as a family. A special thank you to Molly, who was incredibly attentive, patient, and understanding…

Susie Thomas

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Molly, Nick and the team gave us a great service from the first point of contact and every step of our journey. They were always clear and precise with their communication and guided us through this hard time with dignity and respect. Their kindness shone…

martin gurney

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I have to say that I was extremely impressed by Molly and her team at Douglas Mercer & Son. Molly took full control of our funeral arrangements to provide us with the excellent support and guidance throughout. Molly was extremely efficient and very professional helping…

philippe Wrigley

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The team at Mercers were very supportive throughout, making arrangements was straightforward. On the day of the funeral everything was as requested, vehicles and staff very well presented and took care of us all. Would recommend reviewing services on their web site before your first…

Leon Hall

Much Loved

I found the service was fine but my mother had a prepaid funeral plan and yet I had to pay an extra £560.00. I accepted this but when I advised that we would not need the close family funeral car we were told that they…

Kevin Nye

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The Help and Guidance I received during the funeral arrangement process was excellent especially from Jane. The staff were helpful and supportive on the day of the Funeral, and the funeral service was as I had wished it to be.…

Barbara Jacobs

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The process was handled well and though small in attendance all family felt warmth of the service. Pity about the reverend who seemed very confused over the details I had prepared, but a lovely man. All the paperwork dealt with by my sister was clear…

Kim marie Williams

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We have always found Douglas Mercer to be very professional and kind. Everything was organised efficiently and nothing was too much trouble, would highly recommend.

Pamela Farrance

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I was very impressed with the professional and caring manner with which we were treated my personal thanks to Jane who never turned us away and I always felt an air of calm a huge thanks to Trevor and his colleagues on the day grateful…

Ian stillwell

Thinking about a Funeral Plan?

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Call 01424 421 805 visit branch or arrange a home visit