James Pugh Professional Funeral Celebrant

16/10/2025

It’s been a long week, an emotional week. Some services are beautiful but equally hard, but this week has reminded me, not that I needed it, how lucky I am to do this job.

It’s very rare that in one week, every Funeral you do is for somebody that was taken far too soon. One of the biggest challenges is to find joy in a joyless occasion. But when you look back on a life, and see the difference they’ve made to those around them and the life they have lived… there is always joy to be found.

Today I have led my 900th Funeral and I am more grateful than ever before that I get to help people celebrate the lives of their loved ones, grateful of the trust families put in my words, grateful to all the wonderful people I get to work with, and as always, grateful to my little niece Milly, who gave me her magic.

13/10/2025

I am leading a service for a young man who has dedicated his life to helping others. He has touched the lives and changed the lives of so many, and anything raised at his funeral will go toward helping and supporting others in his memory. I am sharing this link on behalf of the family should anybody wish to donate.

Thank you

James

In lieu of flowers for Mikey's funeral, we are asking for donations that will be use… Jonny Heald needs your support for Future Swadlincote Community Projects

19/08/2025

My little side hussel, if you’re free I promise you a great night of many laughs and some amazing tunes.

🎉🎸 IT’S COMPETITION TIME! 🎸🎉

With just 4 weeks to go until Rock of Ages hits the Lichfield Garrick stage, we’re giving away 2 FREE TICKETS to one lucky winner to join us for a night of big hair and big tunes!💥🎤✨

To enter, all you need to do is:
✅ Like this post
✅ Tag the rockstar you’ll be bringing with you
✅ Share it with your fellow rockers!

⏳ Competition closes 31st August – winner announced shortly after!

Let’s see who’s ready to rock… 🤘

📅 16–20 September
📍 Lichfield Garrick Theatre

10/04/2025

I got to lead my 800th funeral today, working with the wonderful Siân, the funeral Director at Middleton & Wood of Burntwood - Independent Family Funeral Directors, always wonderfully supported by Jake.

Siân's support over the years has been incredible, and every funeral I get to work with her and see the professionalism, care and compassion she gives toward her families is a privilege to witness.

I feel so lucky to work with her, and so many other amazing people within the industry. Along with meeting and helping lovely families, it's another thing that makes my job so amazing... I'm so lucky to do what I do, so thank you all for your continued support x

08/11/2024

Today I carried out my 700th funeral in the same Chapel at Bretby Crematorium where I led my first funeral on the 29th of December 2020. I know it's probably a bit strange, but these milestones have become quite important to me, it reminds me how lucky I am to be able to do a job that I absolutely adore.

As always, I'm eternally grateful for all of the funeral homes that continue to put their trust in me, and the families that I meet, and I would never take you for granted, but, I would also like to thank my dad, Peter Pugh, we lost a couple of months ago…

I'd like to give him thanks for all the support, and also the talking to he gave me on the way to hospital one day “don’t let losing me effect you”. Simple words, but it gave me the determination I needed.

He was and always will be my hero, love you Dad. x

26/06/2024

Thank you so much to all those who have donate so far. The shave will take place at dress rehearsal this Monday. We may live stream it, and quite frankly, I’m dreading it 😂
If you would like to donate, it would be really appreciated. Thanks again ❤️❤️❤️

16/06/2024

I had the honour of being asked to read some words at the Fathers Dad Memorial service at Cannock Chase Crematorium this morning. Jo and Milly put on a lovely service.

This is a day to celebrate our amazing dads, Stepdad's and the ones who have been that father figure in our lives. It's not easy for everybody, but I hope you can still bring to mind the wonderful happy times and get through today with a smile whilst celebrating the legacy that they have left behind.

This is a poem I have written to thank the dad's that were, and continue to be so very loved.

Skilled hands worked hard through life can rest,
There work is now all done
They have created more than objects
They’ve moulded your legacy, you daughters and sons

How can we thank you for all these years
The lessons, the fun, the love?
Our memories bring us so much joy
Thoughts we will never tire of.

But there’s the ache of really missing you
And we know you would hate us to be in pain
We promise that we’ll live our lives
But that void in our hearts will remain

However, to know you are at peace,
Frustrations laid to rest
We take comfort from these thoughts
And will always feel truly blessed

So, hang up your gloves
Put down your saw
Padlock your shed
Close the garage door

Your lessons are taught
You have given your all
We’ll continue your work dad
We’ll pick up the ball

If we can be half
Of the person you've been
To teach all the things
You've taught us and seen

We'll have done our job too
We'll have not done too bad
And it’s all down to you
Thanks for being our dad.

14/05/2024

Today marked my 600th Funeral as a celebrant, and what a special way to do it with Jack and his team at O'Malley Family Funerals.

We had fairy lights, Christmas T-shirts and ties, and also, the lovely staff at Cannock Chase Crematorium got the Christmas tree out to further help a wonderful family celebrate the life of a lovely dedicated family man who loved Christmas.

We had a few tears but lots of laughter, a through a team effort we managed to give a truly personal send off.

I'll never take for granted how lucky I am to do what I do, and I am grateful to every funeral arranger, Funeral Director and family that put there trust in me, and the many people I get to work with day in and day out.

Thank you all ❤️

08/12/2023

This wonderful job of mine can bring a lot of emotion at times. This week has been more emotional than usual, but so rewarding. Love to all the families finding it hard this time of year. Keep smiling, keep sharing the stories , celebrate the memories ❤️

03/12/2023

Last Tuesday I was honoured to have led my 500th Funeral. I can barely believe it, I feel so lucky everyday to do this job.

Today, another honour came my way, I was asked to lead the memorial service at Bretby Crematorium again, the place where it started almost 3 years ago, and a place where the people who work there have always been so supportive.

I’d just want to thank all of the families who have let me tell the story of their loved ones, all the staff at the crematoriums, and the arrangers, bearers and FD’s who continue to put their trust in me. I’m so grateful xx

16/11/2023

What a nice thing to read, and a lovely description of what we try to do for the families we work with. So honoured to be a celebrant. ❤️

This week we recognise the wonderful work of Funeral Celebrants in the first ever World Celebrants Week.

Funeral Celebrants offer a unique blend of compassion and expertise to grieving families guiding them through the funeral and personalising the service to reflect the individuality of the deceased.

Their guidance and emotional support are invaluable during the challenging period of grieving, proving a steadying hand in organising the ceremony and helping families cope with loss.

We are privileged to work with so many amazing celebrants who have helped families celebrate the lives of those they have lost.

05/08/2023

What a huge honour it was to lead the service for this wonderful lad, his family and the huge amount of friends that turned out for him today.
It was unique, and filled with so much love and respect.
I will forever be moved by what I saw today as I looked out at the hundreds of people who came to say goodbye, but the courage and pride of his family will stay with me forever.