Image of Kate as a South Shields wedding celebrant was taken just before a ceremony. Kate is in a beautiful green space in front of a pergola and is wearing a long royal blue dress.

I’m Kate Mukungu, an independent celebrant for all occasions. I hold ceremonies in Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Sunderland, Northumberland and Co. Durham and am happy to travel further.

I am here to help people have their own kind of ceremony. My superpower is my ability to put you at ease. People choose me for my warmth, humour, sense of calm and commitment to make ceremonies meaningful and full of togetherness.

I proudly welcome LGBTQ+ couples, mixed-heritage families, and anyone who wants a ceremony to reflect who they truly are. If you want a celebrant who values you and your ceremony choices, you are in the right place.

North East Celebrant for Weddings, Funerals and Naming Ceremonies

Kate made us feel so comfortable and reassured throughout the whole process. She brought a feeling of balance, calm and support.
— Wedding Client Review

Celebrant Services

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Funerals and Memorials

Weddings and Vow Renewals

Naming Ceremonies

Community Ceremonies

Five Reasons to Choose Kate Mukungu as Your Celebrant

There are lots celebrants out there. Here are reasons to choose me whether for a soothing funeral in Newcastle, a fun wedding in South Shields, a hopeful naming ceremony in Northumberland, a gratitude-filled memorial ceremony in Gateshead, or a joyful vow renewal in North Tyneside.

1. Truly Personalised Ceremonies

I listen deeply to you so that your ceremony reflects what matters most; not a template, but you. Reviews of my ceremonies are invariably positive, and describe my celebrant style as warm, inclusive, calm and engaging. Clients highlight how I supportive I am in the build up to and during the ceremony. If you want a ceremony with a warm atmosphere, where people feel valued, then please get in touch.

2. A Celebrant of Quality You Can Trust

Your ceremony deserves to be handled with care from planning to delivery. I am:

  • fully trained, qualified and insured as a celebrant

  • meticulously organised

  • serious about ceremony safety

You can feel confident you’re in safe hands.

3. Emotionally Attuned to Every Ceremony Type

As a community celebrant I mark special moments with people from birth to death and everything in-between. I hold space for joy, grief, gratitude, hope and whatever your ceremony needs. My goal is always that people at the heart of ceremonies feel seen, heard and honoured.

4. An Independent Celebrant Putting You In Control

Unlike funeral celebrants that mainly work through funeral directors, I take bookings directly from you. This gives you peace of mind knowing:

  • your ceremony will reflect your values not someone else’s process

  • you can work with me at every step

  • the person’s life will be honoured in a way that fits them

As a wedding celebrant I ensure you know about the benefits and responsibilities that come with a celebrant led wedding, before you book me. That way you can make informed choices and have the best ceremony experience.

5. Working towards a Social Purpose

I am passionate about challenging restrictive ceremony practices and improving ceremonies. To do this I:

  • advocate against ceremony poverty

  • inform people about their right to choose their own celebrant and ceremony content

  • celebrant people’s identities and beliefs in ceremony

  • promote inclusive options including non-traditional ceremony venues

Your ceremony can become part of a broader movement. Read more here: Social Purpose .

Kate, thank you for the care, respect, and love you brought to the service... You followed her instructions so well and with so much love. Thank you for creating a space that did a wonderful woman justice.
— Funeral Review
She played many roles for us, editor, relationship coach, coordinator and was always family focused supporting our kids and parents to choose how they would like to play a part. I can’t imagine anyone could be so skilled, empathetic and welcoming of our slightly offbeat creativity.
— Wedding Review
Kate, a memorial ceremony celebrant in Newcastle is a woman with long brown hair. She smiling and holding a black ceremony folder outside a community venue used for a memorial service in Newcastle. The venue has beautiful brick and stone walls.

Is a Community Celebrant Like a Humanist Celebrant?

This image shows how children can be engaged in a funeral ceremony. Five children are writing or drawing on a cardboard coffin with supportive adults present.

Some people ask if I am a humanist celebrant.

Humanist ceremonies are entirely and explicitly non-religious. I am an independent community celebrant, which enables me to offer something broader. I don’t represent a religion or faith path. The wedding, funeral and naming ceremonies I hold may be non-religious or contain some religious content, whatever feels right you.

Rather than focus on expressing my beliefs in ceremonies, I help you express yours.

Kate’s Affiliations and Memberships

I am proud member of this North East collective promoting conversations about how to have the best possible end of life.

This badge has the logo of the International College of Professional Celebrants text saying ICPC Celebrant, Trained by the International College of Professional Celebrants

I am a trained, qualified and fully insured ICPC Celebrant.

This bade says I've adopted the Celebrant Accord and it has the logo of the Funder Celebrancy Council

I have adopted the Funeral Celebrant Accord which states the attributes and skills of an excellent funeral celebrant.

This image is the logo for Pledge South Tyneside and it has an image of two shaking hands

I pledge to promote co-operation and good practice between people and businesses where I live, in South Tyneside.

Book a Free Ceremony Consultation

Please message here or through my social media. I will get back to you as soon as I can to arrange a time for us to talk that suits us both.

Wedding Celebrant in Newcastle image - Kate smiling towards the children of the bride