Naming Ceremonies
Photo by Tom Quayle
I am delighted that more and more families are choosing to have a Naming Day and just love helping them to celebrate this important milestone, no matter how or when your wee one has come into the family.
These ceremonies can be as long or as short as you wish and as formal or casual as you like. Often, there will be promises, from parents, grandparents, siblings and whoever is going to play an important role in your child's life. We can formalise the role of Guide Parents (although you can call them what you wish, or give them no title at all. My husband and I are known as the Oddparents to our friends' gorgeous daughter). No two ceremonies are the same but they are always very personal and special.
Naming ceremonies are a lot of fun and sometimes a bit chaotic (in a good way) with lots of kids running about. Cake is advised but not essential. It's a lovely opportunity for everyone to meet your child, get together as family and friends and, of course, to eat, drink and be merry!
Funerals
I have the huge honour of celebrating people’s lives and hearing their stories told by the people who shared them. Our job title is ‘celebrant’ for good reason.
A Humanist funeral often features laughter and tears in equal measure. It is always sincere and dignified and always true to the person whose life we are celebrating. They can be small, reflective gatherings of close family or see hundreds of people singing their pal’s favourite song. The best piece of feedback a family could give me is “That was them to a T”.
I start by meeting with the family of the deceased, learning about their life and what was important to them. We talk about how they lived, loved and laughed. These meetings are often cathartic and joyful experiences for the families I work with. So too are many of the funeral ceremonies I conduct.
Whatever you and your family decide is the best send-off for your loved one, I will work with you and the funeral director to ensure we get it right.
A funeral is the last thing that you can do for a person. Working with families to learn about their loved ones, as they learn to live a life without them, is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.