Humanists UK’s work to provide humanist wedding ceremonies has been formally accredited by the European Humanist Services Network (EHSN), recognising it as meeting the highest standards of humanist wedding practice in Europe.
The EHSN humanist wedding standard was developed to promote excellence, consistency, and best practice in humanist wedding services across Europe. It sets out standards covering celebrant training, ceremony quality, ethical practice, safeguarding, complaints procedures, and organisational oversight.
In confirming the decision, the EHSN said:
‘The EHSN Accreditation board, gathered at a meeting in Oslo, approved and accredited the Humanists UK humanist wedding service according to the EHSN humanist wedding standard, in line with the agreed accreditation protocol.’
The EHSN humanist wedding standard was developed to promote excellence, consistency, and best practice in humanist wedding services across Europe. It sets out standards covering celebrant training, ceremony quality, ethical practice, safeguarding, complaints procedures, and organisational oversight.
‘The EHSN Accreditation board, gathered at a meeting in Oslo, approved and accredited the Humanists UK humanist wedding service according to the EHSN humanist wedding standard, in line with the agreed accreditation protocol.’
The accreditation is an important recognition of the quality and professionalism of Humanists UK’s network of trained wedding celebrants and the organisation’s longstanding commitment to providing meaningful, personal, and non-religious ceremonies.
Humanists UK trains and accredits celebrants to conduct humanist weddings, naming ceremonies, and funerals across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands. Every ceremony is individually crafted around the families and couples involved, reflecting their values, beliefs, and life stories.
The new European standard has been developed through collaboration between humanist organisations across the continent. As demand for non-religious ceremonies continues to grow, the standard aims to ensure that couples choosing a humanist wedding can have confidence in the quality and professionalism of the service they receive, wherever it is offered.
Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:
‘We are delighted that our wedding service has been accredited under the EHSN humanist wedding standard. This recognition reflects the dedication, professionalism, and care of our celebrants, who work hard to create meaningful ceremonies that genuinely reflect the people at their centre.
‘Humanist ceremonies are increasingly popular across Europe, and shared standards help ensure that couples can have confidence in the quality of the service they receive. We are proud to be part of this collaborative effort to strengthen and promote humanist ceremonies internationally.’
The accreditation comes as Humanists UK continues to campaign for legal recognition of humanist marriages in England and Wales, where couples who wish to have a humanist wedding ceremony must still undergo a separate civil marriage to gain legal recognition of their union. Humanist marriages are already legally recognised in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands.
For Humanists UK, the accreditation marks another milestone in the development of high-quality humanist ceremonies and in the wider growth of humanism across Europe.
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For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Head of Press and Campaign Communications Nathan Stilwell at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959 (media only).
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Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.