Training Example: JB Shakespeare – Review the Data, Give Your Score & Compare to the Real AI Evaluation

HomepageJess Hart2025-07-07T15:16:20+00:00
[H1] Funeral Directors in Croydon
Serving the Croydon community because every life matters in Croydon
Please call us
[H1] Funeral Directors in Croydon
Serving the Croydon community because every life matters in Croydon
Please call us
[H2]
Our Services
[H4] Funeral Services
A funeral can be conducted in many ways – it can be in church, at a crematorium chapel or even at home – the decision is yours. We are here to help.
Take me there
[H4] When Death Occurs
We are here to help you with all aspects of the funeral arrangements and we will do all that we can to make it easier for you.
Take me there
[H4] Memorials
We have a long-established reputation for our memorial work and there are many examples of it in the Croydon area. This service is run from our Selsdon office.
Take me there
[H4] Obituaries & Donations
The links and information you need to pay tribute to someone gone but far from forgotten.
take me there
[H2] Funeral Directors Croydon
Serving the Community Since 1877
JB Shakespeare funeral directors of Croydon was founded in 1877 and has been proud to serve families in the Croydon and surrounding areas ever since.
We offer a professional and caring 24-hour a day funeral service and provide all aspects of funeral arrangements, from burials, cremations, repatriations, pre-arranged funeral plans and all types of memorial work.
If you need help with funeral arrangements please do not hesitate to contact us.
Contact us
[H2] Visit JB Shakespeare
Our head office at 1 Norfolk House, Wellesley Road is in central Croydon and a short stroll from the Registry Office at the Town Hall. We also have another office at 175 Selsdon Park Road, at the bottom of Gravel Hill.
We belong to the trade associations the NAFD and SAIF as well as NAMM and BRAM for memorial work. We are also signed up to the FAIR FUNERALS pledge.
Find us
[H2] Testimonials
We firmly believe in treating people in the same way we would like to be treated and are often humbled by the many kind letters and cards we receive after carrying out a funeral
Here are a few of those kindnesses we have received:
Thank you so much for your patience, support & help in providing Dad with a lovely funeral.
Mrs H (Croydon)
Thank you for the care and attention you gave to me to make a difficult time easier.
Mrs N (Croydon)
Shakespeare was so professional, caring, helpful and above all respectful of all of us at this sad time.
Mr L (Croydon)
You and your team made a difficult day pass without a hitch and one I will never forget.
Mr R (Addiscombe)
Both my Mother and our family received your thoroughly faultless support & care, that displayed consideration and respect that we feel was beyond the call of duty.
Mr A (Addiscombe)
Thank you all for your kindness, support and understanding, during these last few weeks. We as a family could not have asked for better care. I cannot thank you enough.
Mr J (Croydon)
I would like to thank your staff, for their care attention and kindness during this process.
Mrs D (Croydon)
Your sympathetic and caring attitude made a very difficult time much easier. We felt by the end that you had become a friend to us all.
Mrs T (Biggin Hill)
We were pointed towards Shakespeare’s by another Hindu family who had previously used them. We found JB Shakespeare to be consummate professionals presenting themselves with the utmost compassion and flexibility. Their staff were so helpful at this difficult time and guided the family expertly through every process.
Reshi Ramlakhan
Thank you for all your help with my mum’s funeral and for giving her the beautiful send off she had always planned.
Mrs B (Croydon)
It felt more that we were being guided by a friend throughout. You treated us with the upmost care & respect making us feel like we were your most important customers.
Mrs K (New Addington)
Many thanks for all the help given over this difficult time. Your kind consideration helped us get through the day. The Service was perfect.
Mr P (Caterham)
Thank you so much for being so kind & thoughtful with my uncles funeral arrangements. You conducted everything with such dignity & respect. Your kindness & gentleness touched the whole family.
Mr P (Croydon)
[H2]
Our Staff
[IMG: peter bryant]
[H2] Peter Bryant
Croydon Manager
[IMG: Tim Hussain]
[H2] Tim Hussein
Selsdon Manager
[H2] Frequently Asked Questions
[H4] How much does a funeral cost?
We offer a range of options from a bespoke service, including disbursements, costing around £2050, through to a simple funeral at £1750 inclusive of disbursements – third party costs.
We also offer what we call a Respect Service for £1050 all inclusive. We understand some people don’t want an old fashioned funeral but would rather the body was cremated so that a life can be celebrated at another time free of funeral rites. This is a a direct to crematorium service to satisfy this need. This is STRICTLY non-attendance.
[H4] What do I do when someone dies?
We offer a 24 hour, 365-day service. If the death occurs at home or in a nursing home we will collect the person once the doctor has been. If it occurs in a hospital they have at hand facilities to look after the deceased. Call us and we will guide you through what happens next in terms of registering the death through to arrangements for the funeral.
[H4] How soon after someone has died must I have the funeral?
There is no set time, We are here to carry out your wishes; so should you need the funeral in the next few days we will do all we can to make it happen. Conversely, if the funeral needs to be in several weeks time we can wait. The death has to be registered within 5 working days.
[H4] Do we have to use a vicar?
No. On most occasions we arrange someone to take the service be they a vicar, priest, hindu priest, humanist or celebrant. We will discuss your wishes and seek to fulfil them. We, of course, have extensive contacts in this area.
[H4] We want to carry the coffin, is that allowed?
Yes. We will help the family and guide them through this hugely symbolic last act.
[H4] Is the coffin cremated with the body?
Yes. Coffins are cremated individually and contrary to popular myth the ashes are not a mix of that day’s cremations. Metal – from screws and pins used in the coffin – is sifted from the ashes.
[H4] Do you embalm bodies?
No, not as a matter of course. There are incidences where it is necessary and we will advise you accordingly.
[H4] I need help with somewhere to go after the funeral.
We can help with suggestions of venues and caterers to suit your needs, budget and location.
[H4] When do I have to pay?
All fees within the estimate are to be paid for in advance unless otherwise agreed, in full 3 days prior to the funeral. Where this is not received in cleared funds within 3 days of the date of the funeral, we reserve the right to postpone or cancel. If the funeral is cancelled, we shall charge our reasonable costs and expenses incurred based on the supplier and date of cancellation.
[H4] Are you an ethically-sound company?
The wood for our coffins is sourced from trees endorsed by the fsc – the Forestery Stewardship Council. We promote green funerals – although the location of Croydon to green burial sites is slightly problematic – and aim in the future to replace any of our vehicles that are diesel-powered. We are very aware of our carbon footprint.
[H4] Are you owned by one of the big companies?
No. We are wholly and totally independent and fiercely proud of the fact. It means we are far more adaptable to the needs of our clients.
[H4] Does JB Shakespeare follow any code of conduct procedures?
We are members of both the NAFD (National Association of Funeral Directors) and SAIF (The Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors). We are also signed up to the fair funeral pledge and are recommended in the good funeral guide. Reputation and recommendation from people who have used our services in the past is the very lifeblood of our future.
[H4] I need to send my father's body back to the country of his birth - can you help?
We offer a repatriation services from £1,925 plus the cost of flight. This includes professional services, zinc lined coffin, embalming, hessian wrap, delivery to airport. Freedom of infection certification etc.
[H4] I can't afford the funeral?
We are acutely aware that funerals cost a lot and the expense feels as it if has come out of the blue. We will always help you with arrangements that suit your budget and give sound advice. Claim forms for financial help are available in job centres. We scan also suggest alternative ways of fulfilling the wishes of a loved one who has died.
[H4] Do you sell funeral plans?
Yes. We sell Golden Leaves plans. The money is paid into a trust and you pay today’s price for a funeral and in most instances that covers the costs in the future – be it needed in five, ten or 50 years. A pre-planned plan takes away financial worries and uncertainties for your family as well as making clear your wishes.
[H4] I need a memorial - can you help?
Memorials are sold from our Selsdon office on 020 8657 3616. We also have a dedicated memorial pages at www.jbsmemorials.co.uk differing rules cover cemeteries and graveyards so we can help guide you towards something suitable. In most cases memorials are not put on a grave until at least six months after the burial.
We also have dedicated memorial pages.
[H3] Your question is not here?
Email us

Funeral ServicesDaisy Lucas2025-03-12T10:02:30+00:00
[H1] Our Funeral Services
[H2] Funerals, Funeral Services and Costs.
Because each and every funeral is unique, the costs are made up of many component parts, some of the costs called disbursements are not within our control. The cost of the disbursements are the same whichever funeral director you choose to use and are:
The fee for the vicar, priest or officiant.
The fee for use of the crematorium or churchyard.
Our fees cover everything else, although there may be additional costs. These include church and verger fees, organist fees, the cost of newspaper announcements, service sheets etc.
We always explain the costs to you when we arrange a funeral and we always provide this information for you in written form.
[H2] Types of Funeral Services
[H2] Traditional Funeral
At J B Shakespeare we are able to offer you our Traditional Funeral Service which you can expand into an entirely bespoke funeral to give your loved one the send off they deserve.
Our Traditional Funeral starts with;
Our professional fees
Taking all instructions from you necessary to arrange the funeral
Dealing with statutory documents
Liaising with cemeteries, crematoriums, Coroners and clergy
Liaising with hospitals, hospices, doctors and other third parties
Providing you with advice on any aspect of the arrangement
Care for your loved one
Provision and care of your loved in our private mortuary
Transfer from our mortuary to our chapel of rest
Provision of a white gown or dressing your loved one in their own clothing
Bereavement and aftercare assistance
Vehicles and Funeral Staff
Transfer of your loved one from their place of death (within a 10 mile radius of our premises (additional charges are made for out of hours transfers)
Provision of a hearse and chauffeur on the day of the service
Provision of Funeral Conductor and bearers on the day of the service
Provision of one limousine (seating 6 people) and chauffeur
From this point we can help you expand the funeral with your own personalisation, including:
Flowers
Order of Service
Choice of coffin
Additional limousines
Visiting your loved one at our chapel of rest (which will require our embalming service) Upgrades to a horse-hearse
Choice of local cemetery/crematorium
Arrangement of music, video tributes and livestream (with recordings)
Booking of preferred church and clergy or a celebrant
If the funeral arrangement is for a cremation a Doctors Fee will be added.
If your loved one was a Veteran or serving member of the public services, please talk to us about including coffin drapes, standard bearers and other significant tributes.
[H2] Simple Funeral
If you would like to provide your loved one with a simple and respectful cremation at Croydon Crematorium, this option may be for you.
Our Simple Funeral Service is limited to Tuesday, Wednesday or a Thursday at a time to suit us.
There are no limousines included but we will provide:
Our professional services attending to all necessary arrangements and statutory paperwork
Conveying your loved one from place of death to our mortuary (with a 10 mile radius in normal working hours)
Use of our private mortuary and care for your loved one during their rest with us
Use of a hearse with necessary staff on the day of the service
Visits to see your loved one in our chapel of rest in working hours. (Additional embalming charge will apply)
A respectful coffin (chargeable upgrades are permitted)
The statutory doctors fee applies to all cremations and we can help with additional disbursements as part of our Simple Funeral Service such as clergy, celebrants, flowers and printing an order of service booklet.
If other services are required (outside of the above) our Traditional Funeral Service pricing will apply (e.g. burial, use of limousines, horse-hearse, etc).
[H3] Direct Cremation
We understand some people don’t want an old fashioned funeral but would rather the body was cremated so that a life can be celebrated free of funeral rites. We offer a direct to crematorium service to satisfy this need. Included is a coffin, staff attendance and suitable vehicle. This is STRICTLY non attendance.
[H3] Green Funerals
Burial sites are available in the south east although not directly in Croydon at the moment. We will help you with the options and the choices. Most green funerals are marked with a tree being planted instead of a headstone. We, at Shakespeare, are accredited and listed by The Natural Death Centre.
[H3] Hindu
We have been proud and privileged to have helped Hindu families with their funeral arrangements and are well versed in the rituals of the faith.
[H3] Repatriation
To include professional services, zinc-lined coffin, embalming, hessian wrap, delivery to airport. Freedom from infection certification.
Please contact us for further assistance.
[H2] Ashes & In Memory Mementos
We can supply various urns for ashes from wooden ones for burial, attractive ceramic urns, more rustic outdoor garden urns or scatter tubes – so a loved one’s ashes can be spread at a place with particular memories.
There are all manner of options.
We can also help with turning ashes into personalized glass keepsakes.
[H2] Our Selection of Coffins
Download our coffin & casket brochure
[H2] Ashes & In Memory Mementos
We can supply various urns for ashes from wooden ones for burial, attractive ceramic urns, more rustic outdoor garden urns or scatter tubes – so a loved one’s ashes can be spread at a place with particular memories.
There are all manner of options.
We can also help with turning ashes into personalized glass keepsakes.
[H2] Our Selection of Coffins
Download our coffin & casket brochure
[H2] Useful Funeral Services
[H2] Funeral Service Sheets
We can arrange to have these printed and brought along on the day of the funeral. Families will be presented with a proof for their approval. The service sheet needs to be presented to us at least three working days before the funeral.
[H2] Funeral Catering
We can advise with locations or tried and tasted caterers to come into a hall or home.
Please don’t hesitate to ask one of our advisors.
[H2] Floral Tributes for Funerals
We work with many of the florists in the Croydon area and can always help families – be they local or from a distance – with their choices – finding the right floral display to suit the occasion and budget. We do not mark up the cost of flowers ordered through us.
Please don’t hesitate to ask one of our advisors.

Funeral NoticesJeremy Farrance2025-03-12T10:02:49+00:00

[H1] Funeral Notices

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MemorialsDaisy Lucas2025-01-17T16:00:19+00:00
[H1] Memorials
[H2] We provide
Grave Site Care Headstone Cleaning, Lichen Removal, Gravestone Repair, Monument Leveling, Planting of Flowers and Historic Marker Preservation
Service provided for:
Headstones, footstones, tombs, lawn markers, columbaria, mausoleums, statues, memorials, plaques and more
Materials cleaned and repaired:
Brownstone, Slate, Marble, Granite, Bronze, and more
Done on-site:
In Cemeteries, Family Plots, Historic Burying Grounds, and at Other Places of Honor and Memorials
We will provide a photographed and documented repair. Any cleaning or repairs will be done in the correct manner to stop the damage or erosion from continuing and to not cause further harm.
We NEVER power wash or use harsh chemicals on any stones. We will caringly restore your loved ones grave site.
[H2] What We Do
We have a long-established reputation for our memorial work and there are many examples of it in the Croydon area.
We will help you find the memorial you require, apply for the permit and then prepare it for installation. This involves what is called a “mark out” where the letters of the inscription are chalked on to the monument so you can see how it will look.
We always ask you to provide the inscription written out and signed.
Quotes, without obligation, are always produced and we will, where required, offer various costed solutions.
Included in our work carried out over the years is the renovation of the John Ruskin Memorial at St John’s in Shirley, many war memorials.
[H2] Cleaning and Maintenance
The modern family unit often has members who live in all parts of the country, even abroad, so maintaining a grave is not always straightforward.
We offer annual maintenance – this is a clean and check of the grave and – depending on the memorial – usually costs around £50.
And while granite and marble may seem hardwearing over time it can succumb to the vagaries of the weather.
Headstone beneath trees are more prone to staining than those in the open and over the course of time the earth of the grave moves – this can lead to a need to level the grave.
[H2] Memorials Gallery

[H3] Head Office
1 Norfolk House
Wellesley Road
Croydon
Surrey, CR0 1LH
t. 020 8688 1447
t. 020 8688 2003
f. 020 8688 5330
info@jbshakespeare.com
Open Monday to Friday
8.30am to 5pm
Open Saturday
9am to 12pm
[H3] Selsdon Branch
175 Selsdon Park Road
Croydon
Surrey, CR2 8JJ
t. 020 8657 3616
enquiries@jbshakespeare.com
Open Monday to Saturday
9am to 5pm

About UsJess Hart2025-03-12T10:02:03+00:00
[H1] Who we are and our History
[H2] Introduction
J.B. Shakespeare Ltd was founded in 1877 and has been proud to serve Croydon families as an independent family run business ever since.
We offer a professional and caring 24-hour a day service and deal with all aspects of funeral arrangements, from burials, cremations, repatriations, pre-arranged funeral plans and all types of monumental and stone work.
If you need help with funeral arrangements please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our head office at 1 Norfolk House, Wellesley Road is in central Croydon and a short stroll from the Registry Office at the Town Hall. We also have another office at 175 Selsdon Park Road, at the bottom of Gravel Hill.
We belong to the trade associations the NAFD and SAIF as well as NAMM and BRAMM for memorial work. We are also signed up to the FAIR FUNERALS pledge.
[H2] James B Shakespeare
In the beginning….
James Benjamin Shakespeare founded the original company at age 25, in 1877, from his premises at 10 Scarbrook Road, Croydon, Surrey and by 1881 he had one ‘lad’ helping him.
James had been working as a “master carpenter and local builder” and was used to creating things from wood, thus it was no difficulty for him to build coffins, as well as provide a service. He steadily expanded the business over many years embracing new technologies such as the telephone and “motor car”.
By 1889 he moved the business into 67 George Street, East Croydon, which eventually became the family home. This was a smart move as the old Town Hall with registrars was alongside their offices.
The photograph, assumed to be taken around 1890 in the back garden, shows the family with James (top right), his first wife Ann, their eldest son William (top left), Ernesto (back middle) and James has his hands resting on Edward, together with the other three daughters.
In 1891 the eldest son William James joined the business, which by then owned two additional properties at 29 and 31 Church Road, Croydon, that became local “Branch Offices”. The other two sons joined the business when they “came of age”.
In 1903 the company was referred to as “Undertaker and Carriage Master”. The carriages were horse drawn-hearses, known as “four in hand”.
By 1907 the monumental business, providing memorial stones, had been started and 21 Sheldon Street property was acquired to house the “modern car, hearse and carriages” even a private petrol store and pump was eventually added. In 1910 a new branch was opened at 159 London Road.
Sheldon Street only became the full time works base for the cars and monumental business after 1915. The chapel, visitor and resting areas were created there too.
In 1931, William, Ernesto and Edward decided to change the family business into a Private Limited company, which was then known as Undertakers, Funeral Furnishers and Monumental Masons.
During the second World War, Edward became Manager and Secretary of the company and then his nephew, Douglas took over from Edward as Chairman in the early 1960’s. David Dighton joined in 1961 and by the mid-1990’s had taken over-managing the company.
In 1957 there were nine people employed in coffin making, bearing, driving as well as two stonemasons with a driver, and freelance letter cutter. 1957 was a special year in that we topped 1,000 funerals for the first time, an average of about 19 funerals per five day week – sometimes in winter at least 25.
The horse-drawn hearses were not used by then, but employed 4 hearse/saloon cars, an ambulance and truck (for the masons) plus director cars all based at Sheldon Street.
By the 1970’s the company was still conducting up to 800 funerals per year and employing over ten people directly: 5 bearers /drivers; 2 stone masons; 2 in the office and 3 funeral directors, and others on a part time basis.
During the 1980’s the company was employing on average 15 to 20 people and in the late 1990’s still carrying out over 700 funerals a year, although by the mid 2000’s this was down to an average of 500.
The company has always continued to embrace new technologies, such as introducing computers providing funeral plans and offering more environmentally “green” and woodland funerals.
NB: Historical notes also by kind courtesy of John Shakespeare, the late Colin Shakespeare, Richard Randall and Pauline Akehurst (nee Shakespeare).
[H2] James B Shakespeare
In the beginning….
James Benjamin Shakespeare founded the original company at age 25, in 1877, from his premises at 10 Scarbrook Road, Croydon, Surrey and by 1881 he had one ‘lad’ helping him.
James had been working as a “master carpenter and local builder” and was used to creating things from wood, thus it was no difficulty for him to build coffins, as well as provide a service. He steadily expanded the business over many years embracing new technologies such as the telephone and “motor car”.
By 1889 he moved the business into 67 George Street, East Croydon, which eventually became the family home. This was a smart move as the old Town Hall with registrars was alongside their offices.
The photograph, assumed to be taken around 1890 in the back garden, shows the family with James (top right), his first wife Ann, their eldest son William (top left), Ernesto (back middle) and James has his hands resting on Edward, together with the other three daughters.
In 1891 the eldest son William James joined the business, which by then owned two additional properties at 29 and 31 Church Road, Croydon, that became local “Branch Offices”. The other two sons joined the business when they “came of age”.
In 1903 the company was referred to as “Undertaker and Carriage Master”. The carriages were horse drawn-hearses, known as “four in hand”.
By 1907 the monumental business, providing memorial stones, had been started and 21 Sheldon Street property was acquired to house the “modern car, hearse and carriages” even a private petrol store and pump was eventually added. In 1910 a new branch was opened at 159 London Road.
Sheldon Street only became the full time works base for the cars and monumental business after 1915. The chapel, visitor and resting areas were created there too.
In 1931, William, Ernesto and Edward decided to change the family business into a Private Limited company, which was then known as Undertakers, Funeral Furnishers and Monumental Masons.
During the second World War, Edward became Manager and Secretary of the company and then his nephew, Douglas took over from Edward as Chairman in the early 1960’s. David Dighton joined in 1961 and by the mid-1990’s had taken over-managing the company.
In 1957 there were nine people employed in coffin making, bearing, driving as well as two stonemasons with a driver, and freelance letter cutter. 1957 was a special year in that we topped 1,000 funerals for the first time, an average of about 19 funerals per five day week – sometimes in winter at least 25.
The horse-drawn hearses were not used by then, but employed 4 hearse/saloon cars, an ambulance and truck (for the masons) plus director cars all based at Sheldon Street.
By the 1970’s the company was still conducting up to 800 funerals per year and employing over ten people directly: 5 bearers /drivers; 2 stone masons; 2 in the office and 3 funeral directors, and others on a part time basis.
During the 1980’s the company was employing on average 15 to 20 people and in the late 1990’s still carrying out over 700 funerals a year, although by the mid 2000’s this was down to an average of 500.
The company has always continued to embrace new technologies, such as introducing computers providing funeral plans and offering more environmentally “green” and woodland funerals.
NB: Historical notes also by kind courtesy of John Shakespeare, the late Colin Shakespeare, Richard Randall and Pauline Akehurst (nee Shakespeare).
[H2]
Our Staff
[IMG: peter bryant]
[H2] Peter Bryant
Croydon Manager
[IMG: Tim Hussain]
[H2] Tim Hussein
Selsdon Manager

When Death OccursJess Hart2025-03-12T10:02:15+00:00
[H1] When Death Occurs
[H2] We are here to help…
Inevitably there is a procedure to follow when dealing with a death. The primary consideration being registering the death or, if the coroner is involved, waiting for the all clear to make arrangements.
We are here to help and fulfill your wishes or the wishes of the person who has died and in all cases we can assist. Just ask. There is no such thing as a wrong or silly question at a time like this and there is unlikely to have been a scenario with which we haven’t dealt with.
There will be decisions to make and again we will assist and guide you – be it a wish for a motorbike hearse, horse and carriage, a traditional hearse and following car, video link etc, we can help. Today funerals are far more tailored to reflect the lives of the people who are being mourned.
Then there is you, the person arranging the funeral. We are acutely aware that for many people this is a traumatic experience and our aim is to help you deal with that shock and make the right decisions.
[H2] Funeral arrangements create a certain amount of administration, so here is a ten point checklist to help you through.
1.  Speak to the hospital and/or the doctor to obtain a medical form. This will allow you to register the death. If the coroner is involved, speak to him about when the body will be released for the funeral.
2.  Make an appointment with the registrar office. Take that Medical certificate, plus ID like passport, birth and wedding certificate of the deceased. This will make registering easier. Order extra death certificates – six is advised – for banks, insurance policies etc of the deceased.
3.  Inform family and friends of death. Work through the list including employer, health workers, social services, banks etc. Cancel future dated appointments.
4.  Ascertain if there is a will and check for funeral instructions. That may be contained in it.
5.  Make appointment with us, the funeral director.
Have in mind prior to this meeting, when you wish to have the funeral; considering, for example, travelling distances for other mourners, and special dates that you wish to avoid. At this meeting the discussion will be about the coffin, transport, visiting the Chapel of Rest, flowers, orders of service, music, person to take the service, donations in memory, where to go after the funeral, jewellery, online obituary etc. Remember to bring the green form issued to you by the registrar.If the coroner is involved there is a green form.
6. If there is a pre-paid funeral plan you will need a death certificate. We will be able to help explain the instructions we had received from the deceased.
7. We will provide you with confirmation of the arrangements and costs estimate. If there is money in the deceased’s account, funeral costs can be paid prior to probate being granted. The bank will advise you.
8. Order flowers, book reception, inform family, colleagues and friends of the funeral date.
9. Consider memorial wishes, what to do with ashes, inscriptions for headstones etc.
10. Deal with probate, if there is no will you will need to make an application to the registry for a grant of letter of administration.