Your story is our story

Welcome to Humanist Ceremonies

Major life events deserve memorable and meaningful ceremonies. And they need to be special, so we shape them for and with the people and families involved. Humanist Ceremonies bring human values to life.

Wedding ceremonies
& vow renewals

Funerals &
memorial ceremonies

Naming and welcoming ceremonies

Humanist naming ceremony

Find a celebrant

Become a celebrant

Naming celebrant Dawn Rees by ETT Photography

About our celebrants

Our non-religious ceremonies are warm, welcoming, and inclusive. Because we are all human. And we all have stories. Our ceremonies represent something essential and timeless – the shared values and narratives that connect us all.

Our network of trained and accredited non-religious celebrants has been trusted with marking life’s most significant moments with authenticity and care since 1896.

We’re part of Humanists UK, a registered charity bringing non-religious people together to be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have and work together for a more tolerant, better society.

Humanist Ceremonies give people the opportunity to make thoughtful, positive choices about life’s most significant moments and experience how their personal stories reflect timeless human values.

Your story is our story

Your stories

Explore real stories of how Humanist Ceremonies bring together personal narratives and enduring human values to create meaningful and memorable ceremonies.

Wedding stories

Gabrielle and Dearbhaile’s story: A humanist ceremony in Northern Ireland to celebrate converting a civil partnership to a marriage.

When the law changed in Northern Ireland to allow Gabrielle and Dearbhaile to convert their civil partnership into a marriage, they could think of no better time to do it…

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A fun and relaxed humanist wedding: Chloe and Paul’s informal wedding at their local pub

Chloe and Paul wanted a relaxed, informal wedding which reflected what matters to them – community, family, and a great night out at the pub. With the help of friend,…

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A same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland and a steampunk wedding in England: Rian and Owen’s humanist ceremony

With Rian studying in England, and his boyfriend Owen living in Northern Ireland, their relationship started out as a long distance one. They had to wait until Rian graduated before…

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Funeral stories

How to Support Your Mental Health While Planning a Funeral

Planning a funeral can be one of life’s most emotionally challenging tasks. Whether you’re organising the funeral of a loved one or helping someone else through the process, it’s important…

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What is a direct cremation and can I still have a ceremony?

Maybe you’ve heard about direct cremations – which are unattended and don’t involve any kind of funeral ceremony – and are wondering if this is the right choice for you…

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Remembering a loved one: the Humanist Funeral Tribute Archive

The Humanist Funeral Tribute Archive has been relaunched. This remarkable and valuable resource allows the life stories of ordinary people to be preserved online for posterity, and is the only…

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Naming Ceremony stories

6 Top Tips for Planning a Summer Naming Ceremony

Welcoming a new child into your family is a momentous occasion, filled with joy and love. A Humanist naming ceremony offers a personal and non-religious way to honour this significant…

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Friendship, fireworks, and fun – A humanist naming ceremony for older children

Laura and Jason, with help from their celebrant Sue, created a fun and meaningful humanist naming ceremony for their children, Peggy and Ronnie, with music, promises and, of course, cake….

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A humanist naming ceremony for two brothers

Alastair and Kat wanted a humanist naming ceremony for their two boys, but there were times when it seemed like this would be impossible. Cancelled first due to Covid and…

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Photos:
Handfasting in banner: Gareth Joseph
Wedding ceremonies and vow renewals: Luis Holden Photography