Richardson, Marion

My background and experience   

I came late to Humanism.  Having been in Public Relations in London, I married and moved to Aberdeenshire in 1967.  I taught for 31 years, first French and later as a Guidance teacher.  I spent a lot of my time with pupils and parents listening.  I still do – whether it is a funeral, naming or wedding, listening is vital to making the final ceremony just what is needed.
What humanism means to me     

Finding Humanism was a relief - like-minded people who shared the philosophy that a moral life did not require the religious faith I didn’t have!  Celebrancy became my chief way of putting this into practice.  One of my sons, aged 5, was smacked by his primary teacher for commenting that some people did believe in Jesus and others didn’t.  Humanist initiatives in education are the hope for freedom of thought for thinking children.

How I feel about being a funeral celebrant   

I feel privileged to be able to make a difference at a very difficult time for a bereaved family.  . 
My approach to funerals   I want to use my experience to smooth the way for the family and, afterwards, to hear relatives and friends of the deceased say, ‘You had her bang to rights’ or, ‘That was just him’.

What I find most rewarding about conducting funerals  

Although the relationship is short-lived, it is also significant

My advice to you  

Keep talking.  Keep remembering.  Keep looking back at the happy tell.  Tell them all to your celebrant.  Leave notes for your family about what you would like for your own funeral.

My favourite piece of funeral poetry   

Rupert Brooke:  ‘The Dead’ [‘These hearts were woven of human joys and cares      Washed marvellously with sorrow, swift to mirth……’]

My favourite piece of funeral music   

Bach’s Double Violin Concerto

How I feel about being a naming Celebrant   

It’s a joy.  Having no grandchildren, I just love it.
My approach to namings      It is detective work again – listening for the gems which make the ceremony purely personal to that child, that family.

What I love most about conducting namings    

Total unpredictability.  The challenge of thinking on your feet when the unexpected happens.  The delightful mixture of ages, from 0 to 90+.

My advice to you  

Find your venue and celebrant early.  Before you meet your celebrant gather ideas where you can.  Make good provision to keep toddlers happy.  Keep the ceremony short.

My favourite piece of poetry for namings

(Maureen Hawkins)    
Before you were conceived we wanted you.
Before you were born we loved you.
Before you were here an hour we would die for you.
This is the miracle of life.

My favourite piece of music for namings     

Burl Ives: ‘Big Rock, Candy Mountain’

How I feel about being a Celebrant for affirmation ceremonies  

Everything I feel about weddings.
My approach to affirmation ceremonies  

Two people in love making a commitment; a happy time.

What I love most about conducting affirmation ceremonies  

I haven’t been asked.  A pleasure ahead?

How I feel about being a wedding Celebrant  
take my part seriously but enjoy it enormously. An ability to think on one’s feet and cope with the unexpected is an asset.
My approach to weddings 
At the outset the client and I decide what the input will be on both sides. I am prepared to do as much or as little as they want.  I like to meet clients fairly soon and, as time goes by, am able to put a wide variety of experience at their disposal.  My priority is to see that they have The Day they really want.
What I love most about conducting weddings  
The joy of it all! I relish the chance to read the lovely poetry clients often choose and it’s a real buzz when they say their day was just what they wanted.
My advice to you
Start early, do your homework and remember your celebrant wants what you want.
My favourite piece of wedding poetry

Humorous: Ogden Nash
To keep your marriage brimming
With love in the loving cup
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it;
Whenever you’re right, shut up.

Beautiful (especially for handfasting ceremonies): ‘

Wedding Day’ by Rowena White
Now comes the knitting, the tying, entwining into one.
Mysterious involvement of two, whole, separate people
Into something altogether strange and changing; new and lovely.

Nothing can be, we will never be, the same again.
Not merged into each other irrevocably, but rather
From now on we go the same way, in the same direction,
Agreeing not to leave each other lonely,
or discouraged, or behind.

I will do my best to keep my promises,
To treasure you and keep you warm;
And we will make our wide bed
Beneath the bright and ragged quilt
Of all the yesterdays that make us who we are,
The strengths and frailties we each bring to this marriage,
And we will be rich indeed.

My favourite piece of wedding music  

To sing: ‘Bring me Sunshine’ [Morecambe+Wise theme tune]

My most unusual location for a wedding to date  

Beside Cassley Falls, in Sutherland.