A woman with short bright red hair and wearing an orange and cream floral patterned shirt smiles thoughtfully at the laptop screen open in front of her

Information for Funeral Directors and Arrangers

Are your families looking for a non-religious or humanist funeral that celebrates the life of the person they love?

This page has been written specially for funeral directors and arrangers looking for an experienced, reliable, creative and colourful celebrant for families across East Anglia. If there’s anything not covered here, please do get in touch - I am always happy to talk.

A bright orange solid round shape with a lighter orange border and in the centre a stylised white outline of a coffin with the word funerals written above it

Who I Am

I’m Alex, a funeral celebrant specialising in non-religious and humanist farewells. Trained in 2019 by Humanists UK, I’m based in Cambridge and have now been leading ceremonies across East Anglia and London for seven years. I’ve supported almost 600 families, and I absolutely love what I do.

Before becoming a celebrant I worked in mental health care, community development and higher education. I’ve also volunteered as a non-religious chaplain at my local hospice, and bring skills from each of those worlds to my work as a celebrant.

I have a particular interest in natural burials and sustainability, travelling by public transport wherever possible. I have also led a large number of funerals for younger people, or those taking place after sudden or unexpected deaths, and along the way I’ve built an excellent reputation for my sensitivity and compassion. You can read more on my reviews page here.

Where I work

While I am based in Cambridge, I regularly travel across Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Norfolk and London. My main areas of work are Cambridge, March, Ely, Littleport, Soham, Huntingdon, Peterborough, Newmarket, Bury St. Edmunds, Saffron Walden, Stevenage, Letchworth, Braintree, Hitchin, Bedford, King’s Lynn and Mildenhall, as well as the surrounding villages. I’ve also travelled further afield, to The New Forest and the South Coast on request.

How I work

Initial Contact

I am always contactable by phone and email, and aim to reply to availability queries as soon as possible. If you phone me and I’m unavailable, I will always return your call within the same day. Once you’ve instructed me, I will make contact directly with the family within 48 hours (24 hours is always the aim) and arrange to meet with them to discuss their wishes for the ceremony. I always prefer to have this meeting face-to-face wherever possible; I find it is much more reassuring for families to be able to meet the person who will be supporting them on such an important day. If the family request it, I am happy to have an online meeting or a phone call instead.

Planning The Ceremony

For every funeral, I start a planning checklist to keep track of everything that needs to be done in the run up to and after the funeral, to make sure I don’t miss anything. I also have a document for each family meeting to keep track of all the details of what they would like for the service. After the family meeting, I will update you on the running order, music etc., again I aim to do this within 24 hours. I am also happy to proof any orders of service as needed, and to order music if that is helpful.

If the family have asked me to write and deliver a tribute on their behalf, I will send them a draft of this for any comments, additions and corrections by a date agreed with them.

Including Religious Content

I am happy to include religious content where it holds particular meaning for that person or their family - for example, a reading, hymn or song. We will discuss that at the family meeting so that I can understand what it means to that family, and explore how to include it in the service. I don’t lead any explicit acts of worship in ceremonies that I lead, although I have had family members with a faith lead a prayer (for example, the Lord’s Prayer) .

On The Day

I always arrive shortly after the previous service has begun, so that I can be in good time to meet any mourners arriving early. It also means I can liaise with the chapel attendants to check everything is in place and all details are correct, before meeting you, your team and the family at the door. I will already have fully updated you on any decisions the family have made about seating guests, following the coffin into the chapel or the end of the ceremony so that everyone is aware and the day runs as smoothly as possible for the family.

I will usually stay at the venue after the end of the service until the family is ready to leave, and will wave them off.

After The Funeral

For every family, I produce a beautifully designed keepsake copy of the ceremony script which I email to them within 48 hours. If printed copies are needed, I will also provide these, including in accessible formats such as large print. I will also provide you with an invoice after the service, and am happy to receive payment by BACS or cheque.

Fees, Insurance and Accreditation

My fee for a single length service is £260, which is fully inclusive of all travel within 40 miles of Cambridge. For a double length service, prices are available on request, but this is usually £390 (which is my regular fee plus an additional 50%).

I am fully insured under my celebrant membership of Humanists UK, and also DBS checked.

Hands hold onto the edge of a wicker coffin that contains autumnal flowers and a shrouded body
A woman's hands placing a vase of bright autumnal flowers into a wicker coffin
A row of vases of bright coloured autumnal flowers tied with velvet ribbons sitting on top of a closed wicker coffin
A woman with short bright red hair and wearing a yellow jumper and a bright pink coat stands in front of a wall covered with autumnal creepers and holds a pale turquoise folder open in front of her
A woman with short bright red hair and wearing a pink coat and yellow scarf smiles into the camera as she places something into an open wicker coffin

What Families Say…

“Alex delivered a heartfelt, sensitive and personal service for my brother, and without having ever met him, managed to encapsulate his life beautifully, with such depth and detail. Alex has such a unique gift and cares deeply about people.”

— T's sister, February 2026

“We cannot thank Alex enough for the beautiful service she led for our mum. From our first meeting, she was incredibly patient and compassionate, helping us navigate a very emotional time, Alex managed to capture Mum's spirit and values so perfectly like she had known her for years.

The ceremony was a wonderful celebration of her life and exactly what she would have wanted. We felt truly supported throughout the entire process thanks to Alex.”

— M’s Daughter. January 2026

“Alex is everything you want in a funeral celebrant: warm, creative, articulate, organised and professional. She took great time and care to work with us to create a very personal and memorable ceremony that perfectly reflected our mum's personality. Highly recommended.”

— D’s daughters, April 2025