Love at the Centre Celebrant

30/03/2026

Monthly bereavement drop-in at the wonderful ACT in Aylsham ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D7vN7VMyU/?mibextid=wwXIfr

ACT is delighted to announce that we're setting up a new activity!

We're partnering with Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity to run a bereavement drop-in service, which will be held on the second Monday of every month, here at ACT in Aylsham.

We're pleased to be working alongside the Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity and look forward to seeing how this service will serve our local community.

https://www.aylshamcaretrust.co.uk/

11/03/2026

Most of the ceremonies I do, I gather flowers or herbs as a buttonhole on the morning.

After the service I have a moment somewhere to say goodbye to the person I’ve been working with, by placing the little bundle in water, or under a tree.

This last month or so, it happens that a few bundles had built up on my windowsill at home. In the sun, next to a few crystals, and so I had little moment yesterday for all of them.

I walked out the back of my garden along the east quay, following the coastal path, cradling this small collection of flowers, each made individually for a funeral I’ve helped to create.

I lay them all down, at the base of some small trees near an opening to the fields. The trees, covered in iridescent lichen, looked a little windswept but are strong and I’ve always sensed they are ‘friendly’ as I pass them on my way

I gave a little nod of thanks, took a photo to share here, and carried on my way back along the sea wall. These little moments are spaces for the important things. And I love how no matter how busy life can get, we can always take one.

Take a moment : as simple as a breath - or a hand on the heart. To bring us back to centre. 🌸

01/03/2026

Engaging and informative talk for any Norfolk groups

✨Why might someone choose a celebrant?

✨ What makes a ‘good’ funeral service that says farewell and supports you for the days ahead?

✨Where can ceremony fit into our busy lives to create a pause to enrich and support ourselves?

I love to meet new groups, will tailor the talk to your needs and particular interests, do get in touch 😊🌷

If you’re reading this and have enjoyed a talk I’ve done, please do leave a comment below!

15/06/2025

Celebrating the Dads who are missed 💙⤵️
I couldn't have said this or drawn this any better myself Donna Ashworth

I like to think all the Dads in heaven get to come down today and spend it with their precious ones. But you must invite them. Say their names, play their favourite music and tell that joke that made everyone groan. They will come. The thing about love is, it doesn’t die, you see. It places precious parts of souls in loved one’s hearts and that, that lasts an eternity. Much longer than we can imagine. So, if you are finding today hard, look for them in the moments… I believe they’re trying really hard to let you know, they’re still here.

Donna Ashworth
‘Loss’

20/05/2025

There's no 'right' way to grieve 💜

20/05/2025

So Moving, Beautiful Voice 🪻🪻🪻

I lost my big brother to cancer a few months ago and this is the first song that came (meant for other humans to hear) after his death. We have also, just t...

19/05/2025

I'm sharing a random joy that has just hit me about my work. When I'm hearing someone's life story I get another unique perspective on life in the UK through the decades. I recognise the richness we gain when we listen to one another ❤

21/04/2025

For me ✨Support✨goes hand in hand with the celebrant role as I have the honour to be alongside you at a time of change. Pivotal marked change which may naturally mean you are in a time of need.

The training I’ve done in the first months of 2025 have inspired and kindled this part of my work.

I am now a Grief First Aider through Cruse.

I have deepened my grasp of true inclusivity and person-centred practise with the Savvy Celebrant.

I’ve explored the particular themes of su***de and other sudden losses with Cruse as well as neonatal, baby and pregnancy loss with Rituals Today.

I’ve creatively dived into new ways of writing and presenting with the Heartled Celebrants.

I have the freedoms to best represent you through being an independent & at the same time I am part of a network of excellent practitioners in all these areas.

I can support because I am supported by family, friends, colleagues and a rich bank of therapeutic and practical help.

If you need to lean in this moment, lean; we’ve got this.

Life:Love

31/03/2025

Poetry - writing personally from your wild

Even if we never use your poem in the ceremony, it can be a great process, to come to terms with your thoughts and feelings about the event… your marriage, your loved one’s farewell, whatever we are marking.

Poetry is the use of words
in an order
that can evoke our deepest places
our memory, our unspoken,
Try it, try writing
or speaking in to your text,
in a way that arrows
straight to the heart
because it heals

it can delight and awaken
it can bring a smile, relief
it can spring tears from a well that needed attention

Try singing it out
(when no ones about,
or when they are!):
How you feel..
What it’s like..
Straight from the heart
Your soulful heartsong.
Poetry

It doesn’t matter if no one else ever hears it
or publish it far and wide;
No matter

What matters is the getting it out,
from your inside to your outside

Use punctuation or don’t
Use phrases or don’t
Make sense, or don’t

You’ve got this
(over to you)

“Today I……”

Tags

18/03/2025

How to Book me to be your Celebrant! - Funerals and Memorials

If you’d like me to take a funeral service that’s happening soon
1. Give my name Ali Chapman to your funeral director
(they may already know me, they may not, either way it’s fine. I enjoy the chance to work with new FDs)
2. Contact me direct and I will let the funeral director know
or
3. Both of these

Message or call me at any stage of your decision making, I’d love to hear from you.

07933305145 text, call or whatsapp text or voice message
alichapmancelebrant@pm.me email
https://www.loveatthecentre.uk/funerals/

❇️If you’re not using a funeral director, contact me direct

❇️If you’re thinking ahead and planning your own funeral, you can specify me in your funeral plan, we can have a planning session together so that it’s all written out ready and your peace of mind that things will be as you want them to be. It will be a pleasure to meet you. This deserves a post of its own! Watch this space x

❇️If you're using a direct cremation, book me directly for a memorial service, ash internment, or other private ceremony to mark the moment. Its well-known that having some kind of ceremony, can greatly help the grieving proceses for people moving forwards, in ways that may not seem clear right now. Ring or message me to talk about how we might do this best for you.

12/03/2025

I’m reflecting on why I love celebrancy and how it fits into my approach to life. It begs the question, should I write social media posts when I’ve just woken up?! There’s an element to the surreal when I speak authentically sometimes. 🌀

My celebrancy business is a part of me and I swirl around through dimensions, experiences, feelings, emotions, plans and decisions! 🌀

I love life from all directions; I love professional space, business space. I love inner work, meditation, relaxation, playfulness. 🌀

I love marrying the two together: Creating story; Listening and retelling stories with honour and respect.

I love showing weight where weight is due. 🌀

I love Learning: hearing tales, perspectives and experiences. I’ve picked up more from listening to you than I ever did in history lessons. 🌀

24/02/2025

Where does a celebrant spend her time? I’m pretty happy with my new office space in the house, it beats resting a laptop on my knees in every other room in the house, although my car is still my ‘office
from home’ when needs be, flask in hand.

A tiny intro into where else you might find me when I’m not holding a ceremony at a venue near you...