Hi, I'm Debra

Image of Debra Jessett

I believe that naming ceremonies are about...

Fun & laughter 😊

Telling your child’s story

Doing things your way!

I genuinely enjoy meeting people & feel it is a privilege to be involved in people’s lives at such a special time. 

A Naming Ceremony enables you to celebrate the arrival of a new baby & welcome them into your family & wider community. They can also be held for older children if you are adopting or would like to embrace stepchildren into your family.

Your Ceremony, Your Way

I will spend time getting to know you so that I can write a personal ceremony that celebrates the arrival of your child in the way that you wish. This can include telling your child’s story such as when & where they were born, the things they enjoy doing & why you have chosen their names. Also, what it has been like for you becoming parents & the things you are looking forward to doing together as a family.

You can personalise your Naming Ceremony by including readings, poems & music. Other ideas include a naming book or certificate, lighting a candle or a wish tree.

You can make promises to your child, as parents, & also include Guide Parents, equivalent to Godparents. You can also use the opportunity to acknowledge the special role of grandparents & other family members.

You can hold a Naming Ceremony in your home or garden or at a hotel or village hall. The choice is yours!  

My Story

I was inspired to train to be a celebrant in 2006 after creating a naming ceremony for my children. Over the last 17 years I have led over 150 naming ceremonies, & I am passionate about helping people create a ceremony of their choice. 

My Values…

I believe in…

Putting people at the heart of what I do – I will work with you to create your unique naming ceremony.

Working with creativity & imagination – I am keen to try new ideas & welcome any suggestions that you have. 

Going that extra mile to provide a personal service – I will dedicate time to get to know you.

Providing ceremonies inclusive to all – I will deliver your ceremony how & where you want.

What’s important to me…

Caring for our natural world – I love being in the outdoors & taking time to appreciate the view.

Making a contribution to my community – I like being able to use my skills & experience to bring out the best in people.

Appreciating the small stuff - I enjoy baking, singing, time with friends & walking my dog.🐕

Dreaming about the big stuff- I enjoy having outdoor & travelling adventures with my family 🚙

Our guests were really touched by the commitments both the parents and guide parents made, and they loved the poem I wrote. The overarching response was that they loved how personal it felt and this made them feel more honoured by the fact that they had been invited to participate in the day. 

— Suzy & Dave

Fantastic service, we would definitely recommend you. We liked the fact you spent a couple of hours with us getting to know us. You made sure you knew what was important to us and what type of ceremony we wanted. Thank you so much!!

— Joanne & Dave

Our guests were surprised and delighted at the ceremony. Nearly everyone commented on how lovely it was, so nice and personal… We were very pleased with how you took the ceremony. It was just what we wanted and we had a very special day.

— Sarah & Troy

Image of Debra Jessett

Debra Jessett

Where I work

I provide Humanist Naming Ceremonies throughout Cumbria, North Lancashire & North Yorkshire. However, I will also consider individual requests to travel further afield, including overseas.

Fees from...

£300 - I will provide you with an accurate quote once I have further details of your ceremony. If you would like to book my services I ask you to pay a deposit of £100. The balance is then due a month before your ceremony.

How to contact me
Email

debra.jessett@btinternet.com

Phone

07879 050778

Website

www.inspirationalceremonies.co.uk/naming-ceremony

HUMANIST CEREMONIES™ is the network of more than 550 celebrants, trained by national charity Humanists UK to a gold standard to provide memorable and meaningful humanist ceremonies to non-religious people. Operating throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, we deliver authentic, tailor-made and heartfelt ceremonies for life’s key moments. They are always inclusive and welcoming, regardless of the beliefs of those attending.

You can trust Humanist Ceremonies celebrants: We are DBS-checked, fully insured, and regularly peer reviewed for quality assurance. We are committed to a code of conduct, and have a transparent and robust complaints process in the rare case of a problem. We all pay a monthly fee to Humanists UK to further support the work of the charity, and are part of a regional network for like-minded celebrants for support and learning.

Humanist naming ceremonies

A humanist naming ceremony is a joyous event, and the perfect opportunity to gather friends and family to welcome your child into the world, with no reference to religion. It focuses on the child, their future and the circle of love and support around them, offering a sincere and personal alternative to a christening or other religious ceremony.