AHIC-Alison Haley Independent Celebrant

10/04/2026

I feel really honoured to share that my lovely tutor, Dinah Liversidge, at the Celebrant Coaching & Training Academy has written a feature about my journey into becoming a Funeral Celebrant 🤍

It’s a very personal piece, as it explains how everything began following the loss of my brother, and how that painful experience led me to want to support other families during such difficult times.

It also shares a little more about my background, my training, and the things that have shaped who I am....both professionally and personally.

If you’d like to have a read, you can find it here:
https://www.celebranttrainer.com/2026/04/09/how-to-become-a-funeral-celebrant-real-story-alison-haley/

Thank you, Dinah, for your gentle guidance and encouragement throughout my training it has meant more than you know. Xx

Thinking of becoming a funeral celebrant? Read Alison’s inspiring journey from personal loss to a meaningful career after completing celebrant training.

27/03/2026

As a relatively new celebrant, I have noticed that some people, who are planning a funeral for the first time, often don’t know they have a choice when it comes to a funeral service.

They believe they have to know so much about the process, that they must have lots of information written down and that they are going to be forced to include things they might not want or have no say in the service content.

Working with an independent celebrant is not like that at all.

As an independent celebrant, I work closely with families to create something personal, that really reflects the person they are saying goodbye to, their story and their personality and we can work out exactly what the family would like (and wouldn't like) to include.

That might be music they loved, stories that make people smile, or simply taking the time to tell their story properly.

There’s no “right way” to do it. It just needs to feel right.

If you’re ever unsure where to start, or just want to understand what’s possible, I’m always here for a chat.

If you have 3 minutes spare, there's an article on my website that helps to explain what an independent celebrant does and why they matter. Here's the link:
https://www.ahic.uk/post/what-does-an-independent-celebrant-do-and-why-does-it-matter

When someone we love passes away, we’re suddenly faced with decisions we never expected to make.And one of the first questions that often arises is:“What kind of service should we have?”Many people don’t realise there is a choice. Alongside religious services, or those led directly by a fune...

24/03/2026

Here I was yesterday, set up and ready to go for my first "outside" ceremony, which, I have to say, went very well indeed. The family were really pleased with how it went and, best of all.....it didn't rain.

I must send an enormous 'thank you' to Terry, who supported me, in a multi-tasking technical capacity, as driver, sound engineer, roadie and photographer (photo taken before the family arrived, of course!).

It was really important to this particular family that I played a specific song, during the 'Pause for Reflection' part of the ceremony, so it was vital that the iPad, blue tooth mic and speaker combination was set up correctly.

My phone was hardwired to the speaker, just in case the blue tooth failed, and then there was Plan C.... What was Plan C?

Well, I would sing the song, of course. Can you imagine it? Me belting out "I Am What I Am", by Gloria Gaynor, in my suit, in the middle of a cemetery?🤣🤭

All I can say is, thank goodness for Terry...and blue tooth 😅

20/03/2026

I read this and, naturally, thought it would be generous to share🥰

19/03/2026

The ceremony I conducted, this week, was for a lovely, gentle family in Milton Keynes - who lost their wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. It was a such an honour to be able to support them.

18/03/2026

When I first began my training to become a celebrant, the first assignment set by my wonderful tutor, Dinah, at the Celebrant Coaching & Training Academy, was to create a database of local professionals, who I might need to contact, as I carried out my duties, leading up to a ceremony.

From that database I started to build a "Trusted Circle" of people that I know I can call on and ask (most likely silly) questions, or to take their advice on a particular technicality (of which, it turns out, there are quite a few).

The 'Trusted Circle' includes Dinah - of course; the fantastic team at Masons Funeral Directors - led by the inimitable Sadie; the inspirational Jonathan, who was the celebrant at my brother's funeral last year, and various other professionals who I may need to call on, at some stage, for their particular field of expertise.

I have now conducted 2 successful ceremonies, since officially launching my services, last month, and these have taken place in the familiar and comforting Oak Chapel at Crownhill Crematorium, in Milton Keynes, which have both gone extremely well, I'm proud to say.

However, last week, I thanked my lucky stars for my 'Trusted Circle' as I now prepare for my first big challenge: my first grave-side service, organised for this coming Monday.

Having only attended a grave-side funeral once, and that was years ago (which I can only remember as being freezing cold!), I felt it was time to invoke the support of the 'Trusted Circle': Ray, at the Funeral Directors, to find out what their role is and how I interact with them on the day; Jonathan, who was able to give me some really helpful practical tips, and also my lovely husband, Terry - who is helping me to prepare the sound system.

Suffice it to say, they have been incredibly generous with their time and advice and I now feel completely ready for Monday - I just need the family to approve the service content script, now, and I'll be all set.

I am so grateful to Sadie, who has now provided me with 3 services, the wider Masons' team, to my fellow celebrant, Jonathan, and, of course, to Dinah - that first assignment was clearly a stroke of genius🥰.

28/02/2026

I never expect to receive reviews, but, following the recent ceremony, I conducted, I was overwhelmed to receive these lovely comments from the delightful family I have been supporting. It was a true privilege to help them, in some small way. 🤗💗

27/02/2026

I'm so happy to announce that my website is now up and running. 👏🏼👏🏼🥰
https://www.ahic.uk/

26/02/2026

I have spent my working life in Marketing, PR and Events, writing stories, presenting, organising, listening and supporting others. I am also used to performing in public, as I sing in a busy local rock band. The skills I have developed blend naturally with the role of a celebrant.

To the role, I feel I bring the foundations of every ceremony:
💟 Balance for families and friends.
💟 Compassion and understanding.
💟 Sensitivity of every family's requirements.
💟 Strong writing and storytelling skills.
💟 Confidence in delivering to an audience.
💟 Calmness under pressure, especially when speaking.
💟 Creativity, organisation and reliability.