2. Personalised non-religious ceremonies
to recognise & celebrate life’s milestones:
Humanist Wedding, Naming, Vow Renewal,
Civil Partnership & Funeral Ceremonies.
I work with couples & families
to design their own personal ceremony to match
THE TIME, THE PLACE & THE PEOPLE
3. Humanism
Humanism is a philosophy of life and ethics,
based on a concern for humanity and the natural world.
Humanists believe that morality comes from within us
and is about unselfishness, kindness
and consideration towards others.
We look to our fellow men and women
for fulfilment and mutual support.
4. A Humanist Ceremony
Non-religious - follows no fixed rituals
They are based on what we all have in common - our humanity and human values
Respects others’ beliefs
Personal Time is spent with family or
couple so ceremony reflects
the occasion and the people
involved
Unique There is no set format so
ceremonies can include what
people want
Individual An inside or outside venue of
people’s choice
Meaningful Reflects people’s values
Only restriction:
Humanist ceremonies don’t contain
any religious content such as hymns
or prayers.
5. My Story
Daughters’ Naming Ceremony (2003)
Father’s Funeral (2004)
Research into non-religious ceremonies
Trained with British Humanist Association (2006)
Accredited Celebrant - Weddings & Namings (2008)
Trained & accredited to conduct Funerals (2009)
Member of BHA’s Professional Network
of Celebrants
6. A Funeral Ceremony
Introduction
My role as celebrant
Why a humanist funeral
What the ceremony will include
A statement of intention
Thoughts on life and death
Tribute
Moment of Quiet Reflection
Committal
Closing Remarks
Thanks
Details of any collection
Invitation for mourners to join
family afterwards
Final thoughts
Other things that can be included:
Music, Poems & Readings
Contributions from family & friends
Tribute of photographs
Placing meaningful objects on coffin
7. For those of us who believe that death marks the end of a person’s life,
the meaning of life lies in what we do and achieve in our lifetime.
We believe that there are many ways in which we survive:
through the genes passed to our children,
through the influence we have on others
and in the memories of those who knew us.
8. Other things that can be included:
Music, Poems & Readings
Signing Certificate or Picture
Guest Book or Wish Tree
Handfasting
Lighting of candle
A Wedding Ceremony
Introduction
Couple’s Story
Thoughts on Marriage
Commitments
Ring Exchange
Joint Commitment
Declaration of Husband and Wife
Moment of Quiet Reflection
Closing Remarks
9. ‘
‘Marriage joins two people
who trust the love that they have found.
It is a partnership in which each can grow
and be their true selves,
whilst sharing in the development of the other...’
10. The Story of
Rod & Helen’s
Wedding Ceremony
A Jetty on Coniston Water
September 2010
Pictures by Russell Coleman
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22. Just a little note to say a huge heartfelt
thank you for the wonderful wedding
ceremony you carried out for us. All of our
friends and family said how much they
enjoyed the personal blessing and what a
refreshing change our wedding day was
from the norm!
We have just returned from our mini-moon
in the Lake District and will treasure the
memories of our wedding day forever.
We will be recommending you to everyone
we know and hope to be able to have
humanist blessings on other occasions in
the future.
With love Rod and Helen
23. Humanists very much see marriage
as a relationship between two equals,
which is embodied by Albert Camus in his quote:
Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead.
Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Just walk beside me and be my friend forever.
24. A Vow Renewal Ceremony
Other things that can be included:
Music, Poems & Readings
Signing Certificate or Picture
Guest Book or Wish Tree
Lighting of candle
Introduction
Couple’s Story
Thoughts on Marriage
Re-exchanging Vows and Rings
Joint Commitment
Re-declaration of Husband & Wife
Moment of Quiet Reflection
Closing Remarks
25. Introduction
The Child’s Story
Family Story
Parental Commitments
Appointment of Supporting Adults
Family and Friends - Grandparents
The Naming & Joint Commitment
Closing Remarks
A Naming Ceremony
Other things that can be included:
Music, Poems & Readings
Naming Book or Wish Tree
Lighting of candle
Signing Certificate or Picture
Presentation of Naming Gifts
28. Zachary’s Naming Ceremony
Angela and Ben have chosen a humanist ceremony because this best
represents how they think and feel. They also believe that Zachary
should be free to make his own choices about what he believes when
he is older.
Today, there are three main reasons why we are here:
to formally welcome Zachary into the world,
to make public declarations of responsibility and
to express his individuality and uniqueness in his naming.
31. ‘What is the significance of the actual naming?
A name, once given, will be associated forever with a face, a voice,
a walk, a laugh and all the other individual characteristics
family and friends will come to recognise.
This child’s name will be spoken, whispered, shouted, cried, sung and written
thousands of times by family, friends, neighbours, teachers, colleagues, lovers,
strangers and maybe by children and grandchildren. It will define their identity.’
32. ‘Just to say a huge thank you for the wonderful ceremony
you did for Zach’s Naming. It was lovely to hear how
much people both enjoyed and related to what was said,
as well as how privileged they felt to be part of it.
Thank you Ang and Ben’
33. Music
Live or recorded
Classical or Contemporary
Choices to reflect the setting &
create different moods
People’s favourites
Pieces can be played whilst guests
gather and at the beginning, end &
during a ceremony
What can’t be included:
Singing of hymns
34. Poems & Readings
Use different choices to:
Provide interest & include guests
Set the scene - the place or occasion
Change the pace of the ceremony
Create different moods – reflective or
uplifting
Introduce humour
Bring ceremony to a close
What can’t be included:
Prayers or reading with religious
content or connotations
35. An extract from Captain Corelli's Mandolin
‘Love is a temporary madness,
it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your root was so entwined together that it
is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is....’
Written by Louis de Bernieres
36. How long does a man live, after all?
A thousand days or only one?
One week, or a few centuries?
How long does a man spend living or dying
and what do we mean when we say,
gone forever?
Written by Brian Patten
37. A Word to Husbands
To keep your marriage brimming
With love in the loving cup.
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it;
Whenever you’re right shut up
Written by Ogden Nash
38. And finally..
Working with families and couples
at significant times in their lives..
is my privilege!
For more information:
www.humanism.org
www.inspirationalceremonies.co.uk
