I have conducted hundreds of funerals and memorial ceremonies as a Humanists UK celebrant since 2005. Most of my work is in north London, but I often travel outside London and abroad to conduct ceremonies.
Funeral & Memorial Ceremonies
As the Funeral Celebrant I will meet with close family and often friends to get a sense of the person who has died. Each funeral is a bespoke ceremony written specially about the deceased for the family and friends, and I will pour care and reverence into the day.
“Jill not only took time to talk to me, but also talked to other people who knew him. When she showed me the script she had written, she had understood him – and our relationship – so well that I needed to make only the slightest changes. She conducted the ceremony with tact and sensitivity, and made what was essentially a sad and difficult occasion into something to remember with love.” -Adrianne
Prices
- Standard Funeral (30-45 minutes) – £280
- Extended Funeral (45-90 minutes) – £420- £540
- Memorial Services (60-90 minutes)- £400 – £700
Mileage is charged outside of the greater London area
“Everyone (and I mean everyone) commented on what a wonderful ceremony it was; truly reflecting the unique and independent man my father was. You really worked overtime to ‘get under the skin’ of my father and make sure everything ran like clockwork on the day. You also gave me the strength to read my eulogy on the day, something I never thought I’d be able to do, to be honest if I never speak in public again like I did on the day I won’t be disappointed. In short, I couldn’t and wouldn’t have wanted to go through the day without you.” Garry
FAQ
How do people come to request your services?
I get a steady flow of work from word of mouth and from people who have seen me conduct previous ceremonies. Much of my work comes directly from London Funeral Directors, Solicitors and Executors who have used my celebrant services for the past 11 years. London Crematorium staff also recommend me on enquiry. I also get work via my listing on the Humanists UK Website.
How does a humanist funeral work?
There are clear guidelines and few rules.
A Humanist celebrant is there to help you plan, write, lead and deliver a honest and reflective funeral ceremony with you for your family member. Ceremonies can take many forms from those with few words and many pieces of music to others with up to 10 speakers. Some people prefer a ceremony with live music, champagne, laughter, stories and some the more intimate ceremony with gravitas and solemn reflection. Humanist ceremonies or Celebrations of Life have no religious content. That usually means no mention of God or afterlife and no Hymns. As humanists we respect everyone’s rights to their own personal beliefs. I will offer a time for a silent or private reflection as needed by individual families. I am happy to talk about personal backgrounds to include significant cultural and religious influences.
I have conducted many funerals for families with strong religious beliefs, who have wanted to respect their deceased loved one’s wishes for a non religious humanist ceremony. They are always been happy with the honesty, care and dedicated nature of the ceremonies that I deliver.
A good celebrant understands all the organizational and planning issues at the crematorium or cemetery and or memorial ceremony. I take the lead role throughout the funeral and work with the Funeral Director to make sure that everything runs smoothly.
Do you carry out Burials or Graveside ceremonies?
Yes. Often there is a full ceremony at the Cemetery in a Burial Chapel and I will then lead family and friends to the graveside for a short internment ceremony.
Alternatively you can have all of the ceremony at the graveside and often families then go on to have further tributes as a memorial ceremony or at an after funeral gathering/ party.
Do you carry out Memorial Ceremonies?
Yes, often families choose to have a private cremation and then have a memorial ceremony on the same day or some weeks or months later. These can take place anywhere, but often at the family home or a venue chosen as a special place to the family.
How do you write & conduct your scripts?
I always conduct an in-depth interview with the next of kin and whenever possible I interview extended family members and friends. This interview usually take place at the deceased’s home or that of a family member. The discussions and gathering of personal details and memories can take between 1 to 3 hours. I often then do further phone interviews with other family members and friends and further research which can take many extra hours.
A Humanist funeral ceremony is a collaboration with the family. As an experienced Celebrant I will guide you and family and friends through a discussion of your wishes and those of the deceased to arrive at your own dedicated ceremony.
How long does it take you to write?
Family and friends often write and then read their personal contributions and tributes but equally as your Celebrant I do very often write and provide a complete script reflecting the family’s thoughts, wishes and memories.
This takes between 15 to 20 hours and it does depend on the length of the ceremony, the number of speakers and the scope of the content. Typically it would include the achievements, and stories about the person who has died.
Writing the personal script is the most important responsibility of a Celebrant as well as conducting the actual ceremony.
Copyright for the script is retained by Jill Satin as its author .
Do you show the family what you have written ?
Yes. I provide a full script with all words, tributes, directions, timings, running orders and music to review before the actual ceremony.
I always show the next of kin/ and designated family the script in advance of the funeral for factual corrections, comments and content.
Can you read my tribute for me?
Of course I can and often read out loud the special words and tributes from family and friends.
Do you do funerals for Children, Babies or still borns ?
Yes. Not every Celebrant will take on this most difficult and sensitive type of ceremony. I would advise that It is especially important for parents to have a Celebrant who has worked previously in this area and has a good understanding of some of the issues involved.
Do you have music, poems or books I can use?
I have an extensive library of suitable books, readings, ideas and poetry
to suggest if needed. I also have a library of various classical, jazz and
world music, and a good musical knowledge.
Can we video or do a live broadcast of a funeral or memorial
ceremony ?
Yes, many crematoriums have the facilities to film or live broadcast
funerals and memorial ceremonies. Keep sake copies can also be
obtained from most crematoriums for a small fee. Your funeral arranger
can help with this.
Can I write and plan my own funeral with you in advance of my death?
Yes. Quite often people who approach me are in good health and just want to have their own funeral ceremony planned and determined in advance – or have no family or next of kin. I often write a script for them to review.
I charge £40 an hour for this service, or a flat fee of £250 for a number of visits (not more than 6 hours) which is in addition to the normal funeral ceremony fee.
I often visit dying individuals in hospices, hospitals or at home.
How do we pay you?
Most Celebrant fees for funerals are paid to the Celebrant on the day either by cheque or bank transfer by the Funeral Directors and will be clearly marked on your funeral invoice.
When agreeing a contract with me personally I require that half of the fee is paid as a deposit at the first family meeting. The balance of the fee is due to be paid to me in advance of the actual funeral.
If you have further queries or would like to arrange a booking, please contact me.