Emma Satchell - End of Life Planning Facilitator and Funeral Celebrant
"Emma makes the uncomfortable, comfortable"
Esther
- Discussion Room Client
Through both personal and professional experiences I developed an interest in helping people face the end of their lives with dignity, honesty and courage.
I launched Dying to Help in 2018 when I began my work as an independent funeral celebrant. Since then I have conducted over 150 funerals. I am passionate that every person deserves a great ceremony to mark the end of their life. A good funeral should bring a sense of peace and healing even in the midst of grief, as you are guided through a ceremony that says goodbye to your loved one in a personal way.
Many of us have experienced funerals that felt cold and impersonal, my hope is that each service I help to create will be an important part of your loved one’s story, collaborating memories and thoughts that honour their life and values.
I have worked with a number of funeral directors and delivered a diverse range of funerals, even leading one service dressed as Elvis! I am an ordained minister in the Free Methodist Church, which means I am able to deliver religious funerals as well as non-religious celebration of life services.
I also work with people to find a middle ground, for those who have some beliefs but for whom religion was not a major part of their lives. In these circumstances people might just want to include a prayer or a short reading from the bible. I can help you to choose something appropriate.
I am based in the North East of England and I have spent the last five years working as a Chaplain in a Care Home, and previously in a Hospice. This work has allowed me to accompany many people during their final weeks, days, and even moments of life. It is never anything less than a privilege.
This also highlighted the need to have honest, open, and tender conversations with people who are dying, and with their families too. These conversations allow people to take back some sense of control. When we talk about our fears and our wishes, we can work together to demystify death and reclaim dying as a normal part of human life.
I now work with clients at all stages of life to help them complete their own comprehensive End of Life Plans, because when we talk about what really matters to us, ask the questions about the things we don't know, and make our wishes known (and easy to find!) we can live life to the full now, knowing that we've done all we can to set ourselves up for a good end.
I have found that attitudes towards death and dying are changing and many people do want to talk, but often don't know where to go to do so. I now work with groups and organisations to provide a space for these conversations by hosting Dying to Help Discussion Rooms. These are safe places to talk all things death and dying. No question is too big or too small and I ask all participants to be mindful of each other and to hold any stories shared in confidence.
DYING TO HELP
EMMA SATCHELL