Your celebrants are DBS checked, Safeguarding trained & Insured
All of the celebrants listed below operate in London, Greater London and Essex. All celebrants listed will travel to other areas on request.
Your funeral director will normally arrange a celebrant to lead your loved one's service, alternatively you can contact a celebrant directly if you wish to enquire about a funeral service you would like them to lead for your loved one.
Scroll across the photos to view celebrant's names.
Click on a celebrant to view their contact details and summary.
A message from Jay Belshaw :
Celebrant & Founder of
www.trusted-celebrants.com
"With over 26 years’ experience in the funeral industry, I have dedicated my career to helping families through some of the most difficult moments in their lives.
I have had the privilege of helping many thousands of families create meaningful and personal farewells for their loved ones.
I’m incredibly passionate about my profession. My priority has always been simple: to make sure every detail is right and that every family receives the best possible send-off for their loved one. I believe that every life is unique, and every funeral should reflect the person being remembered.
Trusted Celebrants is something I’m immensely proud of. It has been created from the heart, with a genuine desire to bring together experienced, professional celebrants who share the same values of quality, care and professionalism.
Together, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards and ensuring that families and funeral directors can have confidence in the celebrants they choose.
Quality and professionalism is what we are all about… and I wouldn’t have it any other way."
Jay Belshaw
2026
Members of www.trusted-celebrants.com
Hover over the photos on the page below and click on a photo to view details of the celebrant
Jay Belshaw, Jo Alexander, Donna Smiles, Nigel Catchpole, Rev Andrew Bryant, Gary Armstrong, Sarah Gilsenan, Denise Clark, Jim Cooper, Rev Philip Wright, Vicki Corderoy, Steve Cheal, Glenn Mayes, John Tully, Russ Kane, Lee Shortall,
Su Harrison, Louise Linton, Claire Townsend, Louisa Middleweek
& Greg DUKESON

Celebrant & Founder of
www.trusted-celebrants.com
Email: info@jaybelshaw.co.uk
"Putting families first in everything I do. Giving people the send off that they deserve.
Having worked in the funeral industry for over 26 years, I am proud to do the job that I do. Everyone is unique and so every funeral should be unique. My heart goes out to all those who have lost someone dear to them"
You can trust me to make your loved one's send - off the best send - off possible. One that reflects who they were in life"

Celebrant
Email: joalexander652@gmail.com
A message from Jo...
"I'm Jo Alexander, a funeral celebrant, and I'm proud to be able to support families at such an important and difficult time in their lives.
I've been a celebrant since 2020, and before entering the funeral profession, I worked in performing arts.
My background in performing has helped me develop the confidence and communication skills needed to lead services, but for me, being a celebrant is about so much more than speaking in front of people.
I work hard to create meaningful, personal services that truly reflect the life of the person being remembered. I take the time to listen to families, understand what matters to them, and help create a farewell that feels right and personal.
It's a real privilege to do what I do and I am thrilled to be a member of Trusted Celebrants."

Celebrant
Email: Donnasmiles@hotmail.co.uk
A message from Donna...
My name is Donna, and I have had the privilege of being a celebrant for over 10 years. I feel incredibly honoured to support families during some of life's most difficult moments, creating heartfelt ceremonies that truly reflect and celebrate the lives of those they have loved.
I am equally passionate about my work as a Wedding Celebrant, where I have the joy of sharing in some of life's happiest occasions and helping couples create ceremonies that reflect their love, personalities and unique stories.
Before becoming a celebrant, I spent over 12 years as a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
For me, every ceremony is about people, their stories and what matters to them. I listen, I care and I always aim to make every ceremony personal, meaningful and memorable"

Celebrant
Email: nigelcatchpole@hotmail.com
A message from Nigel...
"I started acting as a celebrant in 2014 in the East End of London throught the Thames Corridor to the Estuary.
I have acted in different roles in the public eye over many years and pride myself in having dignity and compassion.
I strive to ensure a most caring appropriate service for families in the loss of their loved one.
When meeting with you prior to the day, we will form together a celebration of life service, a lasting and eternal tribute.
There can be no greater pivilege than having the trust of a family at this time.
Trust develops through actions."

Celebrant & Minister
Email: me@andrewbryant.co.uk
A message from Andrew...
"I was a church minister for twenty years before becoming a funeral celebrant in 2010.
Caring for and supporting families through grief and heartache has always been at the heart of my ministry.
Above all I listen. I take time to hear the stories, memories and special moments that made a person unique. I use these to create a meaningful and personal ceremony.
As a storyteller and public speaker, I conduct religious, semi-religious and non-religious ceremonies, always shaped around the wishes of each family.
It is a privilege to support families at such an important time, and I would be honoured to help you create a fitting and heartfelt farewell to someone you love."

Celebrant
Email: garmstrong1804@gmail.com
A message from Gary...
"I am a Funeral Celebrant whose sole focus is to provide families with a service that is tailored specifically to your needs. I have been in the industry for several years now.
I know and appreciate that taking care of a loved one's passing can be both challenging and demanding.
Using my skills and knowledge, I will help guide you through the process of putting a service togetehr, incorporating song choices, poems and readings, whilst also telling a personal story of your loved one.
A celebrant's role is exactly that, to celebrate the life of your loved one and pay tribute to their life. What matters most to you is important to me and I will guide you every step of the way.
My aim from the very start is provide families with a service that ensures your loved ones receive the very best send off."

Celebrant
Email: info@sarahgilsenan.co.uk
A message from Sarah...
Planning a funeral or celebration of Life can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate it alone. I'm here to advise, guide and support you every step of the way, from those first difficult decisions through to the ceremony itself.
I can help with writing personal tributes and eulogies, making sure that the words we share truly capture the person you love.
For me, every funeral should be a meaningful Celebration of Life, one that reflects the individual, their character, their quirks, their story and the love they inspired.
I take the time to listen to families and understand what made their loved one special, creating a service that feels genuine and personal.
Whether through your chosen Funeral Director, or by contacting me directly, I'm here to support you and help create a heartfelt farewell that you and your family will always remember.

Celebrant
Email: denise62clark@gmail.com
A message from Denise...
"I have been privileged to be a family celebrant for over 16 years, and my determination to give every one of my clients the best care possible has never waned.
I truly believe that to conduct a beautiful, meaningful and heartfelt ceremony at the end of someone's life is the last nice thing I can do for them.
I will always show the ultimate respect and dignity to every family and their friends.
I have a background in many areas - hospitality, sales, recruitment, local government , professional writing, admin, running several of my own businesses, prior to my current vocation, and I think this has all contributed to my life experience, understanding and huge empathy towards the difficult challenges people face.
I am always interested, always there, always wanting to do more, always humble, and will always help people achieve the farewell they need"

Celebrant
Email: celebrantservicesbyjrc@outlook.com
A message from Jim...
"Five years ago, I began my journey as a celebrant, and it has become one of the greatest privileges of my life.
I feel deeply honoured to meet families at such a tender and difficult time, to sit with them, listen to their memories, and learn about the person they have loved and lost.
What I love most about being a celebrant is the trust that families place in me. They share stories, details, laughter, tears and precious moments, relying on me to bring those memories together with care, warmth and respect.
On one of the saddest days of their lives, my role is to help ensure their loved one's life is celebrated in a way that feels true to who they were.
My aim is always to create a service that is personal, heartfelt and meaningful. One that honours a life honestly and beautifully."

Minister & Celebrant
Tel: 07976 378 042
A message from Phil...
"I have been a Hospital Chaplain at Queen's Hospital & King George Hospital since 2008, becoming the Lead Chaplain in 2015. I was ordained in the Church Of England in 2014. I have vast experience of ministering and leading funerals that are Spiritual, Religious and Non - Religious. I believe the funeral should be personal and meet the needs of the family and their loved one. I am also Club Chaplain at West Ham United Football Club and have taken many funerals for West Ham supporters and staff at the club. Supporting families that are going through a bereavement, or a difficult time is an honour and privilege, I am also able to support families and relatives post - funeral if support is needed"

Celebrant
Email: rememberalife@gmail.com
A message from Vicki...
"My journey in the funeral industry began long before a natural progression to celebrant over 6 years ago.
Having the honour to speak about someone you loved is one I take very seriously.
During the time we share, my priority is to ensure that those we lose are given a respectful, meaningful, and most importantly, personal tribute which reflects who they were and what they meant to others.
Everyone deserves a peaceful rest, and it is a great privilege to be part of that most special time.
Thank you for your trust."

Celebrant
Email: info@stevecheal.co.uk
A message from Steve...
"I love what I do. There's something special about sitting with people, listening to their stories, and helping them build a service that truly captures the person they've lost, something they'll hold onto and remember forever.
I've spent many years working alongside families, starting out in bereavement care long before I found my way into celebrancy in 2017. That grounding shapes everything I do, never rushing the conversation, and making sure every word feels like it belongs to the person being remembered.
I also run public speaking workshops, helping people find their own voice and the confidence to conquer their fear of speaking in front of others.
At home, I'm married to Stacy. I have a son, Alfie, who's making a name for himself as a football referee, and a step - daughter, Jade."

Celebrant
Email: glennjmayes@gmail.com

Celebrant
Email: jtfunerals@gmail.com
A message from John...
"With over 10 years experience, I provide caring, professional and personal funeral ceremonies for families at a difficult time.
As a dedicated Civil Funeral Celebrant, I take the time to listen, understand and create a personalised and sympathetic ceremony that truly reflects the life, personality and wishes of your loved one.
From gathering memories and stories to working closely with your family and funeral director, I ensure every ceremony is conducted with dignity, warmth and compassion.
A meaningful farewell, created with care and delivered with sincerity."

Celebrant
Tel: 07895 272 216
For twenty years, Sony Award Winner, Russ Kane, was the voice of Capital Radio's 'Flying Eye', where he formed an on - air partnership with Chris Tarrant to create the most listened - to commercial radio show in the world, with a daily audience in excess of 4 million.
Russ now regularly broadcasts on BBC Radio London and Talk Radio. Russ is also a talented writer.
Russ is now a fully accredited professional celebrant for funerals, weddings, vow renewals, memorial services and baby naming.
Russ is thrilled to be listed on the Trusted Celebrants website. For more information, visit the link below.

Celebrant
Email:
Leeshortallfuneralservices@outlook.com
A message from Lee...
"With over 16 years of experience in various roles of bereavement supporting families through times of grief and loss, I understand how difficult and overwhelming this time can be.
I am incredibly passionate about my role as a Funeral Celebrant and I feel privileged to be able to support families at such an important and emotional time.
My role is to be there for families when they need support the most, to listen, to understand their wishes and guide them through the process with compassion, care and understanding.
Every family is different, and every person has their own unique story to tell. I believe that every service should reflect this. No two services are the same, each ceremony is carefully created to be personal and unique to the family, capturing the personality, memories, values and life of their loved one"

Celebrant
Email: su@suharrisoncelebrant.co.uk
A message from Su...
"If you are reading this, you may be facing one of the most difficult times in your life, and it is completely natural to feel unsure about how the funeral process works. Please know that I am here to guide and support you.
Only you can decide what type of ceremony best reflects your loved one, and every service should be as unique and individual as the person it honours. My role is to ensure that the ceremony you envisage is delivered with care, respect, and meaning.
As your celebrant, I will help you create a personal and thoughtful tribute - one that celebrates your loved one's life while offering comfort and reflection. You may choose to include religious elements or keep the ceremony entirely non - religious. Tributes, cherished memories, poetry, music, and any other meaningful elements can be woven into the service."

Celebrant
Email: info@louiselintoncelebrant.co.uk
A message from Louise...
"Hi, my name is Louise and I'm an independent family celebrant.
It is my privilege to create and deliver bespoke, meaningful ceremonies that are as unique as the people at their heart.
Whether making a life, celebrating love or bringing family and friends together, I believe every ceremony should reflect your story and the things that matter most to you.
Having worked as a teacher for many years, I bring strong skills in listening, planning, organisation, writing, performing and speaking to every ceremony I create.
The most rewarding part of being a celebrant is meeting people, hearing their stories and discovering the special details that make every family unique.
I pride myself on being approachable, kind and organised, while bringing creativity and imagination to my work. I will take the time to listen and work with you to create a ceremony that feels genuinely personal"

Celebrant
Email: claire@ct-ic.co.uk
A message from Claire...
"I am a passionate Interfaith Funeral Celebrant who has been qualified for over eight years. I am deeply committed to creating ceremonies as individual as the lives they honour. After all, no two people are the same, and their final farewell shouldn't be either. It's an honour to support families at their saddest times.
At the heart of my work is spiritual accompaniment - walking gently alongside individuals and families with compassion, love and care, listening deeply to what matters to them without judgement or expectation.
From treasured memories and moments of laughter to music, poetry, prayer, ritual or private reflection. I thoughtfully weave together the details that make each person's story uniquely theirs.
My approach is warmly interfaith and inclusive, embracing people of all faiths, spiritual beliefs and those who have none at all.
I am privileged to do what I do"

Celebrant
Email: louisamiddleweek@outlook.com
A message from Louisa:
"I've always been fascinated by the uniqueness of every life and the stories that make each of us who we are. I was drawn to celebrant work through my background in event planning and latterly in the care sector, providing end of life care and supporting people with dementia and learning disabilities, coupled with my love of writing.
I work with families by providing a safe space and respectfully listening to their wishes, supporting them to identify what they would like from a ceremony. I can then create a meaningful ceremony that honours your loved one, captures their spirit, their values and gives family and friends the space to reflect and remember.
Whatever your preferences are, I will respect your wishes, create something that feels genuine, and has both meaning and purpose"

Celebrant
Email: greg@anenglishcelebrant.com
"I'm Greg Dukeson, an independant funeral celebrant based in Essex, and for over 12 years I've had the privilege of helping families tell the stories of the people they love.
My background in radio broadcasting, presenting and voice acting means I'm comfortable speaking to a room full of people.
But the most important part of my work happens long before the service, when I sit down with families, listen, and discover the little details that make someone's story uniquely theirs.
I believe a funeral should be personal, authentic and, where appropriate, filled with warmth, laughter and smiles alongside the tears.
There is no template for a life well lived, and I don't believe there should be one for saying goodbye. My aim is simple, to help families feel that, above all else, we got it right"