Hello. I'm Jill Jones
I am an Independent Civil Celebrant. I live in Stockton on Tees and am proud to live and work on Teesside.
I am a caring and thoughtful person, with a gentle sense of humour. Families tell me that I quickly put them at their ease and make them feel they are being listened to.
I have gained a lot of experience as a Public Speaker, through my work in Education as well as through being a Celebrant. I have worked in a variety of contexts within Education. I have experience of working with the Global Community and The British Council on reciprocal visits to Africa. I have served on the Stockton Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education which supports multi-faith religions, and those with no desire for religion. I have been a Church School Inspector for the Diocese of Durham. I have taught in Faith schools and State Schools, throughout my career.
My values are integral to the ceremonies I deliver and are inclusive towards all people, and diverse communities.
I provide a variety of different ceremonies: Non-religious ceremonies, Ceremonies with some Religious content, Spiritual ceremonies; or a blend of all.
MY Training & Experience
I trained with the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants and hold Professional Certificates for both Funeral and Family Celebrancy. I have 5 years’ experience as a Celebrant, and more than 30 years’ experience of working in Education.
I have extensive Multi-cultural experience, and have used this in ceremonies. I am privileged to have conducted ceremonies across Teesside and in County Durham.
To Honour and celebrate life's milestones is extremely important to me.
The majority of my work is with grieving families, although I am experienced in naming ceremonies, weddings and renewal of vows, all of which celebrate the happier times of life.
I will spend as much time with you as you need, listening to your wishes; guiding and supporting your choice of content: readings, poems, prayers, blessings, hymns or other music. I will support you in the writing of promises and vows. Each ceremony is as individual as you are.
Information is usually gathered during a home visit. As many families live a distance apart these days, this can also be done via the phone or email. My experience has shown that working closely in this way works equally as well to produce a beautiful, meaningful and fitting ceremony.
Together we will write and create a wonderful ceremony that is unique and individual, with a blend of words and music chosen by you. Families I have worked with have fed back that my support and desire to get things “just right” for them, has made their day.
I am proud to belong to the Professional Fellowship of Celebrants. Our motto is: “Your Voice, Your Choice, Your Ceremony.” I believe in the power of ceremony, and enjoy working with families to write and deliver beautiful, unique ceremonies.
Why did I become a Celebrant?
Several things led me to become a Celebrant.
When my husband and I married, our marriage was at the Register Office. We had a Church blessing the following day. We wrote the Order of Ceremony for our Wedding blessing. All of the music and readings were chosen by us; we included a Unity Candle as part of the Ceremony. Our friendly curate followed our Order of Ceremony, and we had the exact Ceremony we wanted.
When my Dad died, it felt right to play a part in organising the Ceremony. I hadn’t heard about Celebrants then. Our family was asked if we wanted to read, but no more. Since then I have taken part alongside Clergy, in the planning of the Funeral Ceremony for my mother in law which included writing and delivering her Eulogy. I have also worked closely with my cousins to write and deliver a non-religious Funeral Ceremony for my Uncle.
A good friend of mine ...
who is a Funeral Director asked me if I’d considered doing Ceremonies more often, so I trained with the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants. I love my new journey, working with families and re-telling their stories…