Alex Collis Celebrant

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Alex Collis Celebrant

🌈 🧡 Creative, colourful and down to earth humanist ceremonies for weddings, namings and funerals 🧡 🌈

30/05/2026

Lovely first time working at Forest Park Hainault Crematorium this week. The grounds are absolutely stunning.

14/05/2026

I want to talk about death work and self care, and how we need to make time to rest and recover.

It’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over seven years of being a celebrant. Two very simple words.

Rest matters.

Rest and practicing self care are radical acts in a capitalist society like ours, where our worth is so often judged by how busy we are.

Doing this work is the biggest privilege, but at the same time, holding space for bereavement and all the emotions that come with it can take its toll.

Our bodies know. They tell us all the time when we need to rest, but we don’t always feel free to listen. That needs to change.

An important reminder for

I’ve always tried to do one of three things after each funeral that I lead.

🌿 Spend some time outside, often just being still. No phone, no distractions. It’s the best medicine.

🧵 Half an hour of stitching. Doing something creative, using my hands to make something… that taps into the part of my brain that helps me switch off.

🐾 Spending time stroking my small army of guinea pigs, and listening to them chatter away to each other. It never fails to calm me.

What’s your favourite way to rest and recover?

🌻🌻🌻

I’m Alex, a Cambridge based creative death worker and funeral celebrant, and I help people plan down to earth, authentic and colourful goodbyes. Follow along for more ideas and inspiration 🧡🌈

11/05/2026

Today we are incredibly excited to announce our brand new website, Dying to Go Green - the UK's new directory for green funeral planning brought to you by the Natural Burial Alliance.

Whether you're thinking ahead, arranging an eco-friendly funeral for someone you love, or a green funeral professional looking to spread the word about what you offer, this is the place for you.

How we say goodbye matters - to the people we love and to the planet. In a profession still dominated by cremation and plastic products, we're on a mission to change the way people approach funerals. This is no small feat, but by working together, we can make funeral planning as sustainable and meaningful as possible.

Visit our website to find natural burial grounds, green funeral directors, biodegradable coffins, eco-friendly florists, funeral celebrants and more. All in one, searchable directory 👇

https://dyingtogogreen.co.uk/

Natural Burial Alliance

09/05/2026

“I like you, you’re not AI. That’s exactly what we want for mum. We want it to be real”.

I’d packed up my bag and was standing on the doorstep, getting ready to shake hands and say my goodbyes. And then R’s son said this to me.

I thought about it all the way home on the bus.

Like lots of celebrants and death care workers, I’ve noticed elements of AI creeping into the way we say goodbye. Asking ChatGPT to write a funeral poem. Enhancing photos to bring people back to life.

I’m not criticising anyone’s choices, but for me there are a few things that AI can’t do when it comes to funerals.

It can’t bring…

Deep, active listening. The most important skill we need as celebrants.

Creative storytelling.

Holding space for grief.

Human connection. AI just can’t replace what’s right at the heart of this work that we do. We keep it real.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on AI and its place in funerals (or weddings too, for that matter!)

🌻🌻🌻

I’m Alex and I’m a down to earth, Cambridge based death worker and funeral celebrant. I help people create their ideal way to say goodbye. Follow along for more ideas and inspiration 🧡🌈

06/05/2026

More and more people are deciding that they don’t want a funeral at all, and - for some - that can absolutely be the right decision.

It’s not always that simple though. So, what do people really mean when they say that?

“I don’t want a fuss”

So often we have in our heads a picture of what a funeral should be like - because that’s how things have always been done. But a funeral can be whatever you need it to be and some of the most beautiful, meaningful and moving funerals I’ve been involved in have been the simplest - and the smallest.

“I don’t want to burden my family”

Again, completely understandable. Planning a funeral when you’re in the early stages of grieving can be so tough. All of a sudden you’re being asked to make decisions that you have no idea how to make. That’s exactly why writing down your funeral wishes is so important. It takes away a lot of that stress, and can be a gift to the people you love. Let them know what you want.

“I don’t want a traditional ceremony”

There’s absolutely no right or wrong way to arrange a funeral. No rules. Nothing that you have to do, or that you’re ‘not allowed’ to do. You can make it entirely personal to you, and include your own traditions - ones that hold meaning for you.

“It’s too expensive”

Funeral costs are rising, there’s no denying it. Cost is probably the biggest reason why so many more people are opting for direct cremations. But there are also ways to create a farewell that’s equally meaningful, just without all the expense. A simple gathering, in an informal or home setting, can be just as - if not more - beautiful. You don’t need all the bells and whistles. Just the love.

“It’s morbid and depressing”

It doesn’t have to be! Funerals can be all about joy and colour and love. They can be uplifting, not a sad, sombre, mournful occasion. And they don’t have to be all about just sitting and listening. They can also be about joining in and taking part, for example by decorating the ceremony space or coffin.

🌻🌻🌻

I’m Alex, a Cambridge based creative death worker and funeral celebrant, and I help people explore what kind of farewell works for them. Follow along for more ideas and inspiration 🧡🌈

02/05/2026

Next week is Dying Matters Awareness Week, an initiative led each year by to raise awareness of death and dying…

This year’s theme is a great one - Let’s Talk About Death And Dying

People just don’t talk about it. Maybe it’s superstition, maybe we think if we talk about it then it’ll somehow magically happen.

The thing is, it is going to happen.

Someday.

To all of us.

And, if we can talk about it more, even just a little, and share some of our thoughts and feelings - and our worries - then wouldn’t that help lessen our fears?

This year I’ve committed myself to opening up these conversations.

I’ve taken a fresh look at my funeral pre-planning service and taken the plunge to start running a series of Get Mortal funeral planning parties. If that sounds like something you’d to get in involved in, swipe to see details of my summer and autumn sessions 📲

I’ve also been running a series of free Grief Walks, where people can share their experiences while spending time in nature and community 🌿

I’d love to share as many events like these as possible, so if there’s something you’re doing to get people talking about death and dying, post it in the comments 👉🏼

🌻🌻🌻

I’m Alex, a Cambridge based creative death worker and funeral celebrant. Follow along for more ideas and inspiration 🧡🌈

01/05/2026

⭐️ KIND WORDS ⭐️

Have you ever wondered whether leaving a review for a small business really makes that much of a difference?

Spoiler alert - it does! 💥

More and more, I’m finding that my bookings are coming via word of mouth. Maybe someone’s been at a funeral I led… maybe they heard about me from a friend who I helped say goodbye.

Or maybe they searched for a humanist celebrant in Cambridge… and found me! 📲 Over 80 reviews and counting, and each one of those has helped other grieving families find their way to me.

So, if you’ve ever been to one of my funerals, weddings or namings, I’d love it if you left me a little review… because it all helps. Here’s the link: https://g.page/r/CTZ0OR4tXGzAEBM/review

Small business… big difference!

🌻🌻🌻

I’m Alex, a Cambridge based creative death worker and celebrant, and I help people plan their ideal farewell. Follow along for more ideas and inspiration 🧡🌈

Address

Cambridge

Telephone

07587 297657

Website

http://www.alexcolliscelebrant.co.uk/

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