Young, Louise

I trained as a Humanist Celebrant in 2008 and now conduct naming ceremonies, Civil Partnership commitment ceremonies and funerals. I hope to start legal weddings in April 2010.

Humanism wasn’t something I knew much about until I attended a funeral in 2004 and found it a very personal and uplifting celebration of a friend’s life.

After being married by a Humanist celebrant in 2007 I decided I wanted to be able to help others celebrate the joys and sadnesses of life.

I live in Leith with my husband Derek, and my cat Thelma. I work for the National Galleries of Scotland and at the City of Edinburgh Council. I am able to conduct ceremonies at the weekend, and can be available occasionally to conduct ceremonies during the week.

I can help advise on readings, poetry and music, and offer support for any family members who wish to speak during the ceremony.

Although based in Leith, Edinburgh, I am willing to travel when required.

It is a great honour to be invited to share personal family memories. Every story, every life is unique and I believe that the marking of someone's passing should be just as personal. What I really enjoy about Humanist funerals is that every one is different.

It is a sad time when you lose a loved one. I hope that by spending time with you and learning about the person, I can create a personal ceremony where we will share memories of their life that made them who they were, and bring some comfort, perhaps a tear, and hopefully a smile.

I have been touched by some of the comments I have received from relatives and friends who have come up to speak to me after the ceremony:

“you got Mum just right”

“it’s the best funeral I’ve been to”

“it was exactly what they would have wanted” 

“it was a really nice and funny service and thank you for making it a wee bit special”

It’s very rewarding to know that I’ve been able to help remember someone, and to help say goodbye.

More and more families are looking for an alternative to Christenings and other religious celebrations of a new arrival to the family. Naming ceremonies are a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of a child and can be held in any location of your choice - a family home, an outdoor gathering, a hotel or any venue that captures your imagination.

Welcoming a new addition to the family is a wondeful thing, and with the opportunity to ask guideparents to be a part of your child's life (a non-religious godparent so to speak) it is a great opportunity to bring all the important people in your family's life together.

I can help with the wording of the ceremony and with suggestions for activities that can be included, such as candle-lighting, gift giving, and signing a commemorative certificate. I can also help ensure any other children have an opportunity to be involved if appropriate.

If you have any questions about these ceremonies or want to discuss your ideas, please feel free to give me a call or drop me an email.

After the more formal signing of a civil partnership, these ceremonies are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a lifelong partnership and to take a moment in our busy lives to publicly commit to another person and to express our love and affection for them.

Whether a small intimate ceremony or a large gathering of friends and family, each one should be personal and should give you the kind of day you really want.

I can help with writing the ceremony, advising on vows, readings and poetry, and thinking about the overall structure and tone of your ceremony - which is open to taking whatever format you would like.

It is one of the most important days in your life and I find it an honour to be part of such a wonderful celebration of love and commitment.

 Please note: I am able to conduct weddings from 1st April 2010. Enquiries can be made now for Weddings after that date.

Weddings

 It really is true - it's one of the best days of your life. Whatever type of wedding you are looking for - formal, relaxed, indoors, outdoors, large or small, I'd be honoured to conduct your ceremony for you.

It's important that you feel your special day is a personal celebration of your love, and a public commitment to each other in front of all your closest family and friends. 

I can help with writing your ceremony and giving advice on your personal vows, on readings and poetry and on the different symbolic gestures you may wish to include to make your day that little bit different.

Feel free to get intouch and we can discuss the type of wedding you are looking for, and I can answer any questions.

Renewal of Vows

For many different reasons, couples often decide they would like to renew their vows - perhaps if they are visiting Scotland for the first time, perhaps to celebration a particular milestone in the marriage. For whatever reason, these ceremonies are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a partnership and to take a moment to publicly commit to another person or to reaffirm an exisiting commitment, and to express our love and affection for each other.

Whether a small intimate ceremony or a large gathering of friends and family, each one should be personal and should give you the kind of day you really want.

I can help with writing vows, with readings and poetry, and with the overall structure and content of your ceremony - which is open to taking whatever format you would like.

I find it an honour to be part of such a wonderful celebration of love and commitment.