Singleton, Helen

About Me
Having in my working life been involved in assisting families going through changes both joyous and sad,  I was always aware of a need for meaningful alternatives to religious ceremonies to mark births, marriages and deaths and was heartened when I discovered that this need was met by Humanist Celebrants.

I have always believed that individuals should be treated as equals and shown tolerance, compassion and respect and realised that becoming a Humanist Celebrant would, along with my work experience, allow me to put these principles into worthwhile practice.

In doing so, I have found being involved with families as a Celebrant one of my most rewarding and fulfilling roles.

Funerals
Conducting Humanist funerals has been one of the most rewarding roles in my life and I find it a privilege to be invited by families to compose and conduct a ceremony where the main focus is to be the life of the person who has died.

In preparing this type of tribute, I recognise the immense sadness felt by those left behind, but it is through talking to them that I can then compose a tribute which reflects on the life of the person who has gone, and which hopefully, will help ease the pain and be comforting and be uplifting to all.

Namings

There is nothing more worth celebrating than a new life and I find Naming Ceremonies joyous and a really, lovely part of my role as a Humanist Celebrant.

These celebrations enable parents to present their baby or young child, to people who will be of great importance in the new little person's life and this can be done in a place of the parents' choosing and in a loving, relaxed and supportive atmosphere.

The actual, 'Naming' is an acknowledgement of the baby's individuality, but the occasion allows promises of love and commitment to be made to the little boy or girl, by his or her parents and others.

I can help you plan and compose the ceremony in a way that you want it to be and while most requests can be catered for, I can provide no gurantees relating to the behaviour of the little, STAR', of the day, but that's what makes these events fun, special and delightful !

Same Sex Affirmations
To date, Humanists have not been permitted to conduct Legal Civil Partnerships, a fact which saddens us all as Celebrants and insults our beliefs in equality.
We are however, able to conduct the more personal, joyous and fun part of a couple's affirmation of their love for one another in a celebration of their togetherness.
This allows them to make their declarations of intent to show life long, loving commitment to one another, in a warm, approving atmosphere and in the company of family and friends.
The legal side of the partnership can be conducted by a Registrar and immediately after, or at a different date, the Humanist input can take place.
I see being invloved in such ceremonies as a wonderful privilege and an important part of my work, as it allows me to try to provide a truly, personal celebration of love, which hopefully in some way compensates for the inequality that the present law creates for you both.
Same sex Celebrations are often innovative, very moving, and great fun and I would be delighted to be involved in your special day.

Weddings
Being involved in helping a couple plan what is one of the most important days of their lives, is a lovely role for the Humanist Celebrant.
It is always a pleasure to be invited to assist a bride and groom to plan their marriage ceremony,  share their excitement, then, having got to know them during the planning stages, be the one to conduct their ceremony. Leading them through their declarations of love and commitment in front of the most important people in their lives, is indeed a privilege and is inevitably moving.
As well as the serious element of the commitment to marriage, Humanist ceremonies often include an element of fun, but the mood is determined by the bride and groom and they can be as involved as  little or as much as they want in the writing. This helps ensure that the celebration reflects them as a couple and provides for them an enjoyable, memorable ceremony as a happy start to their new togetherness.
I would be delighted to be involved in your special day.