Meet Carl

Here at Tester & Jones Funeral Services, we utilise the services of several ministers and celebrants. Here we find out more about Carl Brown, who says:

“I am an independent funeral celebrant and I often describe my journey to becoming a celebrant as a ‘calling’.

I started my career as a civil servant and also spent many years serving as a deacon and church elder. I retired from the civil service at 55 and retrained as a plumber - a complete change but it improved my work-life balance. Now, at 67, I am winding down from plumbing and property maintenance.

I have been a funeral celebrant for several years now and it allows me to offer a compassionate service that is dignified, respectful and meaningful. I genuinely enjoy providing services to those in need and it is both an honour and a privilege to help families during their most challenging times. I am grateful for this opportunity every day.

Families often share stories about their loved ones and it is truly remarkable to get to know someone so well, even without having met them in person.

In my spare time, I enjoy family life with my wife, Anne and our three rescue dogs, Bo, Toby and Max. I can often be found in the shed making or repairing things. My wife and I are enthusiastic gardeners, who enjoy the outdoors and visiting National Trust sites. I also volunteer for a charity that collects and refurbishes tools to send to projects in Africa.

Working with Tester & Jones Funeral Services continues to be an absolute pleasure; the firm provides exceptional service to the community, extending beyond the role of a funeral director.”