Few things are more worth celebrating than the arrival of a child into a loving family. A humanist naming allows people for whom a religious christening feels irrelevant, to share their joy in the new arrival, and their commitment to doing all they can to ensure that he or she is loved and cared for, and supported to become a caring and responsible member of their community.
Naming ceremonies can take place in a wide variety of venues, inside or out. Some are small and intimate, some are much larger with extended family and friends sharing in the fun. My ceremonies are relaxed and informal, allowing small guests, and their parents, to feel comfortable. All present are encouraged to see themselves as part of the celebration and the wider formal and informal support network which the child, parents and any siblings will benefit from.in the future.
We often include symbolic acts, such as sand blending or lighting candles and a presentation copy of the ceremony is given to the parents to keep in the child's memory box.
