Carrying the Weight of What Comes Next

Trusted guidance on wills, probate and estate matters, for families from the people who have been supporting this community for generations.

Trusted local support and guidance for Wills and Probate.

At HL Hawes & Son, we understand that the days and weeks following a loss bring an enormous amount to manage. Alongside grief, families find themselves navigating death registration, estate administration, and in many cases, an unfamiliar legal process, often for the very first time.

We are here to help make that process clearer. Our team will guide you with patience and connect you with trusted specialists who can take the practical burden from your hands.

Probate Support

Obtaining a Grant of Probate or, where there is no Will, Letters of Administration is a legal requirement before the estate of most deceased individuals can be properly administered.

We have partnered with Laurelo, a team of experienced probate specialists, to give our families access to expert, clear and affordable guidance. Laurelo offers a no-obligation free consultation and a transparent, fixed-fee service for those who choose to proceed. There is no pressure, and no question is too small.

The Importance of Having a Will

A Will is not just a document  it is a clear statement of your wishes, a protection for those you love, and one of the most practical gifts you can leave your family. Without one, the law,  not your loved ones, determines what happens to your estate.

Many families in Barkingside, Chingford and across London and Essex come to us having never made a Will, often because they assumed the process was complicated, expensive or something to address later. In reality, a straightforward Will can be prepared quickly and at very reasonable cost. Through our partners, we can put you in touch with an experienced will writer who will guide you through your options personally.

Once a Will is in place, we recommend registering it with the National Will Register a searchable national database that ensures your Will can be found when it is needed most. We can help you do this.

Notifying Companies — Making It Simple

Informing banks, utilities, insurers and hundreds of other organisations about a bereavement is one of the most time-consuming parts of administering an estate. Life Ledger is a free service that enables families to notify over 1,000 UK companies from a single online platform—closing accounts, redirecting correspondence, and reducing the volume of unwanted mail that arrives in the weeks after a loss.

Local Knowledge That Makes a Difference

Our teams in Barkingside and Chingford are familiar with the specific registration processes, local authorities and local support services that apply to our families. Whether you have a specific question or simply want someone to sit with you and talk things through, we are here.

Not sure where to begin?

There is no need to take on this process alone. Our team is available to support you

Words from the
Families We’ve Helped

I highly recommend H L Hawes & Son
They were so kind and caring and supportive to my family, though this difficult time. I would personally like to thank all the staff but give a special thanks to Richard for everything he did for us . We wanted Dad to have a lovely send off and that's what he got
The team is lovely
Special thanks to Brett who guided the family during a difficult time and was on hand to deal with all requests & queries. He made the process seamless. We had a traditional Hindu funeral and they accommodated all our needs. Thank you
We would like to take the time to Thank You
Thank You all for the very professional and amazing way looked after the final stages for my cousin’s funeral and memorial service. Your attention was wonderful. From the funeral home to the celebrant and the printer of the Order of Service . Nothing was left out .
Sensitive and professional, also with other traditions/religions (e.g. Sikhism)
We cannot thank Richard, Marc and the team enough. Came highly recommended, would highly recommend.
H L Hawes recently conducted the funeral of my late father.
They were so helpful throughout the whole process, and provided such a professional service before and on the day. I especially want to thank Lorraine, for all her patience, understanding, and support. You were amazing. Thank you all for ensuring my father had such a good send off.
We used H L Hawes to handle my Mum's funeral. The friendly team led by Brett gave us a such a perfect day.
They were so efficient and sympathetic throughout the weeks leading up to the event and that made it so much easier for us. They thought of everything – and it all went off so smoothly without a hitch. It was all just as Mum would have wanted, full of dignity and respect. I have no hesitation in recommending them for outstanding service .
We used H L Hawes & Son for my little sister funeral. They was so professional, polite, understanding and respectful.
Their communication and organisation was so amazing. I cannot thank Brett and team enough and forever grateful for giving my sister an amazing send off.
Thank you to Brett and Richard for helping the family to organise our Mum's funeral.
Obviously this is a very emotional time and they were both on hand, with nothing too much trouble, enabling us to rightly celebrate our Mum's life with dignity but not at all stuffy. Mum would have been proud.

Community Voice

Supporting Families Beyond the Funeral
At West & Coe, care doesn’t stop at the service. Learn about our continued support for grieving families — from local groups to helpful resources you can access anytime.
Read more >
New Podcast: Planning Ahead with Confidence
In this episode, we speak with our funeral planning team about the benefits of preparing your wishes in advance — and how it can ease the burden on loved ones.
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Honouring a Life, Your Way
From dove releases to bespoke floral arrangements, discover how families are adding meaningful personal touches to create unique and heartfelt farewells.
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Local Matters: Backing Dagenham FC
We’re proud to sponsor Dagenham Football Club this season — one of the many ways we stay connected to the communities we serve.
Read more >
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