For thousands of years families and communities have celebrated the arrival of a baby. It's one of life's greatest events.
A Humanist naming ceremony is a uniquely written ceremony that captures the story of becoming a family. Though naming of babies has been the most common ceremony I've been asked to perform, I have also been asked to do welcoming ceremonies for adopted children and binding ceremonies for two families who've joined their children together into one new family. It has not been unusual for me to be asked to perform a naming ceremony within a wedding ceremony - why not? After all, you will have gathered everyone you love together so it makes sense in a busy life to celebrate wherever you can.
The naming ceremony content is usually written from a close meeting with the parent(s) and is focused on the choice and significance of names alongside whatever else they may be willing to share. I have worked with families who've straightforwardly had 1 or 2 or even 3 children. That's a pleasure returning to families and seeing how they've grown and including mention of older siblings in the arrival of newer ones. However, I have also worked with families who've had children born prematurely, or who have extended health needs or whose parents have had health needs or fertility issues. As with all of my ceremonies I approach the family with an open mind and listen carefully to their wishes to produce a unique and memorable ceremony to mark the day they acknowledge the name of their new child(ren).
