I live in East Sussex with my husband and our dog, have a background in the arts, and love knitting, gardening and swimming. Using my creativity and understanding, I’ll work with you to craft a distinctive non-religious ceremony which is all about you and those you love, one that celebrates the diversity of life. There will be humour, there will be great storytelling, and yes, sometimes there’ll be tears. From quirky to traditional to something in between, my ceremonies are completely designed around you. I care deeply about diversity, the environment, and about creating something meaningful to mark life’s transitional moments.
Why have a humanist naming ceremony for your child?
A humanist naming ceremony, like other humanist ceremonies, will fit your exact requirements. It will reflect your hopes for, and your commitment to, your child. A naming can happen almost anywhere. It can be an intimate ceremony just for close family, or a large celebratory event. It can mark not only births, but adoptions, or step-parents making commitments to new step children. The coming of a new life into the world, or the coming of a new child into the family, is a hugely important event and one which is worth celebrating. Humanists believe that everyone has the privilege of shaping their own lives and those of others. So life should get off to the most positive start possible!
What will happen in a humanist naming ceremony?
A typical humanist naming is of course non-religious, and might include any or all of the following elements:
* Parents, other family members and "guide parents" stating their commitment to the child;
* The formal naming of the child, set in the context of what the name means and how it was chosen;
* Guests welcoming the child to the world or the family;
* Music and readings;
* Symbolic acts – from the lighting of candles to the planting of a tree.
How I work
If after an initial discussion you want to make a commitment to using me, we would set up a longer meeting. Then I can find out more about you, and what kind of ceremony you want. I would then develop a script as the basis for making amendments and developing ideas, until it is just right
And namings come in all shapes and sizes. Go to our naming ceremony blogs to see a couple of stories fo ceremonies I've helped to create including an online naming during the pandemic, and one for twin girls with 2 mums in Folkestone.
