Funeral celebrant belts out Elvis classics wearing white jumpsuit and wig at farewell to legend’s fan
A FUNERAL celebrant belted out Elvis classics at the farewell to a fan.
Jay Belshaw hired a white jumpsuit and wig at the request of Kim Jones’ family.
He then surprised funeral-goers with renditions of Return to Sender and The Wonder of You.
Dad-of-three Jay, a celebrant for 25 years, said: “I’ve always done whatever I can to make sure someone has a good send-off.
“Kim was full of life and loved her Elvis.
“If somebody has a particular interest you should celebrate that on the day of the funeral.
“I practised the songs at home.
“Little things and personal details really make it.”
Kim, described as a “happy-go-lucky” mum, had attended dozens of The King tribute shows.
Sister Teresa Mullins and her brothers planned to book an Elvis Presley act for her 65th birthday.
But Kim died at 64 from kidney failure in May.
So the siblings got Jay, 40, to perform at Forest Park Crematorium near Ilford, East London.
US star Elvis died aged 42 in 1977, when Kim would have been 17.
Teresa, 68, explained: “Kim always wanted to watch Elvis on telly when she was growing up. He was her number one man.
“She knew all the words to all his songs. She was a good singer as well.
“We would to take her to tribute shows at different theatres.
“She had Elvis handbags and a purse.
“She always told jokes. She had such a great sense of humour.
“When we went to the funeral directors, we said we’d like someone quirky and upbeat.
“We wanted everyone to get up and dance.”