Talking About the Thing No One Wants To Talk About – Julie Hughes on Planning Ahead, Supporting Families and Leading with Care
There are some businesses that exist because there’s a gap in the market.
And then there are businesses that exist because people genuinely need help navigating something difficult, emotional and often avoided.
For Julie Hughes, her work sits firmly in the second category.
Based in Rugby, Warwickshire, Julie is known locally as “the death lady” – a title she uses deliberately to open up conversations that many people would rather avoid.
“I just say, I do death. It’s one of those taboo subjects that nobody really wants to talk about… but actually it’s really important.”
Through her probate services and her platform Fiesta Farewell, Julie supports families through one of the most challenging times in their lives, while also helping people plan ahead in a way that removes stress for those they leave behind.
From Construction to Probate – An Unlikely Path
Julie’s journey into this work wasn’t a straight line.
Starting out as a quantity surveyor in construction, she quickly realised it wasn’t the right fit. A move into temporary work led her into a law firm, where she discovered probate and found something that clicked.
“I found that I really enjoyed the probate side.”
From there, she built her experience over many years, training as a paralegal and eventually returning to the sector after having her children. Five years ago, she took the leap and set up her own business, bringing together decades of knowledge with a more personal, accessible approach for families.
Her focus has always been on making something complex feel manageable.
Making the Process Feel Human
Probate can often feel overwhelming. Legal language, long timelines and emotional stress all combine at a time when families are already dealing with loss.
Julie’s approach is different. She works directly with families, often in their homes, guiding them step by step through the process.
“I like to think of myself as a bit of a one-stop shop.”
Rather than expecting people to navigate multiple professionals and systems on their own, she connects them with the right support, whether that’s solicitors, will writers, financial advisors or specialists in more complex cases.
At its core, her work is about simplifying what can feel complicated and creating clarity at a time when people need it most.
Why Planning Ahead Matters More Than We Think
One of the biggest challenges Julie faces is not the complexity of the work, but the reluctance people have to engage with it in the first place.
Death, understandably, is not something most people want to think about.
But avoiding it often creates more difficulty later.
“It’s a horrible subject to talk about… but actually when you think about it, it’s going to make the lives for those left behind so much easier.”
Julie encourages people to start earlier than they might expect.
Not just when they have children or buy a house, but as soon as they begin building assets or making financial decisions.
That could include:
- Starting work and earning income
- Buying a first car or property
- Receiving an inheritance
- Supporting family members financially
Planning at these stages creates clarity, protects assets and ensures that decisions are made intentionally rather than left to default legal processes.
Building Fiesta Farewell – A Different Way to Approach End of Life
Alongside her probate work, Julie created Fiesta Farewell – an online platform designed to help people plan and understand end-of-life arrangements.
The idea came from a simple but powerful insight.
Clients were asking the same questions again and again.
What happens when I die?
Who does my family call?
What choices do I have?
What started as a leaflet quickly evolved into something much bigger.
The turning point came when Julie supported a friend with terminal cancer in planning her funeral.
“It became quite quickly clear that there wasn’t enough local information out there.”
Fiesta Farewell was built to fill that gap.
But more than that, it reframes how we think about funerals altogether.
“I wanted it to be a celebration of life.”
This shift reflects a wider change in how people approach end-of-life planning, moving away from tradition and towards something more personal, meaningful and reflective of the individual.
Balancing Sensitivity with Honesty
Working in this space requires more than technical knowledge. It requires emotional intelligence, adaptability and the ability to meet people where they are.
Julie’s background in grief counselling, combined with years of experience, allows her to adjust her approach depending on each family’s needs.
Some conversations are serious and structured. Others are lighter, even humorous, helping people feel more comfortable discussing something difficult.
“It’s amazing some of the conversations that I’ve had… people want to know, but they don’t know how to ask.”
This ability to hold both professionalism and humanity at the same time is what sets her work apart.
Building a Business Through Trust and Visibility
Unlike many industries, marketing in this space relies heavily on trust.
Julie’s business has grown largely through word of mouth, networking and referrals, supported by her openness in talking about a subject others avoid.
“When I’ve done a good piece of work, I always ask people to leave me Google reviews.”
She also enters awards and builds her visibility locally and online, understanding that credibility plays a key role in helping people feel confident choosing her services.
A Judge Looking for Passion and Purpose
As a judge for the The Class Business Awards 2026, Julie brings a unique perspective shaped by both her professional experience and her passion for education.
Her interest in the sector is personal as well as professional, from her role as a school governor to supporting her own child through education.
“I want to hear a really good story… normally there’s a reason why people do what they do.”
For Julie, strong applications will go beyond surface-level success and focus on the deeper motivations behind the business.
She will be looking for:
- A clear sense of purpose behind the work
- Genuine passion for helping others learn or grow
- Stories that demonstrate real impact
- A connection between the business and the people it serves
Because ultimately, it’s not just about what a business does. It’s about why it exists in the first place.
Watch the Full Interview
Julie’s work is a powerful reminder that some of the most important conversations are often the ones we avoid.
By making those conversations more accessible, more human and more practical, she is helping families feel more prepared, supported and informed.
You can watch the full interview with Julie Hughes on the Class Business Academy YouTube channel and hear more about her journey, her approach and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
